Monday Fulham Stuff - 30/01/23...

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Newcastle United Looking Into Deal For Fulham Target Sander Berge

Newcastle United are looking at a loan swoop for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, who is also wanted by Fulham, according to the Daily Mail.

The Magpies could lose a midfielder before the transfer window closes as Jonjo Shelvey is wanted by Nottingham Forest, a move the player is keen to make.

Eddie Howe's side are keen to bring in a midfielder to offset the loss and have been exploring the loan market.

They are now looking into a loan deal for Sheffield United midfielder Berge.

The Norway international is wanted by another Premier League side in the shape of Fulham and they are claimed to have held talks over a £20m move.

It is unclear if Sheffield United would be open to letting Berge leave on a simple loan deal.

The Blades are operating under an embargo and bringing in cash for Berge could solve the situation, while a loan deal may make no impact.

Joining Champions League spot chasing Newcastle could be an attractive proposition for Berge and all eyes will be on how the Magpies' interest progresses.



https://insidefutbol.com/2023/01/29/newcastle-united-looking-into-deal-for-fulham-target-sander-berge/593095/

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Newcastle are exploring a deal for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge as they look to replace Nottingham Forest-bound Jonjo Shelvey, with the Norwegian missing Sunday's draw at Wrexham after Fulham opened talks to sign him

    Newcastle are hoping to bring in Sheffield United's Sander Borge
    It comes as Jonjo Shelvey approaches a move to  Nottingham Forest
    Berge did not play in United's clash with Wrexham on Sunday

Newcastle are exploring a deal for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, but would prefer to make a loan signing before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Sportsmail can reveal that the Norwegian is on the shortlist of targets Eddie Howe and the club are considering as replacement for Jonjo Shelvey, who is likely to join Nottingham Forest.

Berge, 24, was left out of Sheffield's squad for the 3-3 draw with Wrexham in the FA Cup on Sunday. That came amid interest from Fulham, who have opened talks with the Championship club.


Newcastle are hoping to bring in Sheffield United's Sander Borge on a loan deal


It comes as Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey looks set for a move to Nottingham Forest

However, we understand Newcastle would prefer a loan arrival and, whether that is possible for Berge given the Blades are under a transfer embargo, remains to be seen. The 32-times-capped international is not the only option for the Magpies, but he has admirers within St James' Park and has been watched this season.

While Howe is determined to bring in another midfielder should Shelvey go, sources have warned that FFP and the availability of players they like remain an obstacle.

Berge was Sheffield's record signing when arriving for £22m from Genk in 2020. He has scored 12 times from 82 appearances but now appears to be on his way out of Bramall Lane.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom explained his absence on Sunday, when he said: 'He's not here because we have been asked not to use him. Our club is speaking to other clubs regarding him.

'It's a club decision to protect that asset. I am not going to say I agree with it but I understand it he wanted to play today.

'It doesn't mean he is going anywhere, Sander is happy here. But the situation we find ourselves in mid-takeover, transfer embargo and no clarity on which way it is going and financial issues.

'One way to resolve the issues is to sell a player. Everyone knows my thoughts on it. We are ready if the worst happened and we lost Sander. We have worked hard to put this squad together in terms of the balance and how competitive we made it.

'The simple thing for me is to keep it together but we find ourselves in difficult times financially and it means there may be some tough decisions that have to be made. I have to be prepared for what happens.'



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11690379/Newcastle-exploring-deal-Sheffield-United-midfielder-Sander-Berge.html

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Newcastle hijack Fulham's move for midfielder and Jonjo Shelvey set for medical – Reports

According to The Mail, Newcastle United are attempting to beat Fulham to a late deal for Sheffield United's Sander Berge.

With Jonjo Shelvey set to seal a surprise move to Nottingham Forest, Craig Hope reports that we've entered the race to sign the Norwegian international.

The 6ft 5′ midfielder was left out the Blades' FA Cup squad at Wrexham on Sunday to hold talks with Fulham, but it's believed Newcastle are now 'exploring a deal' that could see the 24-year-old arrive at St James' Park before Tuesday's deadline.

It remains to be seen if Sheffield United – also owned by Saudis – will allow him to leave on loan, but it's thought Eddie Howe is an admirer of the former Genk star who sealed a £22m move from Bramall Lane in 2020.

As for Shelvey, The Mail's Tom Collomosse claims that the 30-year-old should seal a permanent move to Nottingham Forest on Monday, with a medical already booked in.

Should that go smoothly, it's hoped he could even make his debut for the Reds in their huge clash with Leeds United on Sunday, with the former Swansea man ready to feature after overcoming a recent calf injury.



https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2023/01/30/newcastle-hijack-fulhams-move-for-midfielder-and-jonjo-shelvey-set-for-medical-reports/

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Newcastle United blow as Fulham update emerges in Sheffield United transfer race

Fulham are close to agreeing a deal with Sheffield United for midfielder Sander Berge in a blow to the hopes of Newcastle United, according to The Telegraph's Mike McGrath.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom had previously made it clear that he did not want to lose any key players in January but the EFL embargo placed on the Championship club after they failed to keep up with instalments owed from previous transfers looks to have put top flight sides on red alert.

Newcastle have also been linked with a move for Berge in the last 24 hours but it seems that Fulham are in the driving seat now.

McGrath reported late last night that the west Londoners were closing in on a deal for the 24-year-old after talks over the weekend.

Reports elsewhere have indicated that Fulham have tabled an offer worth at least £20 million for the Norway international.

Berge has been a regular fixture in the United side this term but has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Bramall Lane.

Heckingbottom revealed after yesterday's 3-3 draw with Wrexham in the FA Cup that there had been in contact about a move for Berge and that they'd been asked not to involve him in the fourth round tie.

He added that Berge was happy to stay at Bramall Lane but that replacements were being lined up.

The Verdict
It seems Fulham are the frontrunners to sign Berge this month – though nothing is agreed yet and things change quickly in the final days of the window.

The Blades initially looked set to keep hold of their key players but the embargo placed on them by the EFL has changed things significantly.

Heckingbottom's comments after the Wrexham game suggested that the situation was still very uncertain but that they had plans in place in case he does depart.

United are in a commanding position in the race for promotion but losing Berge would certainly be a blow.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/newcastle-united-blow-as-fulham-update-emerges-in-sheffield-united-transfer-race/

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Willian has 'top clubs' trying to sign him despite saying he was "finished" at Arsenal

Fulham winger Willian has attracted interest from several "top clubs" after impressing at Craven Cottage - just 18 months after a hugely underwhelming stint at Arsenal

Willian's agent, Kia Joorabchian, has revealed that "top clubs" have recently inquired about signing the Fulham winger, who has rebuilt his reputation following a disastrous stint at Arsenal.

Willian, 34, initially made a name for himself on these shores during a trophy-laden seven-year stint at Chelsea, where he clocked up over 330 appearances and won two Premier League titles.

That earned him a lucrative more to Arsenal back in the summer of 2020 after running down his deal at Stamford Bridge - but the veteran winger endured a torrid time in north London. Willian scored just once in 37 appearances for the Gunners and agreed to tear up a lucrative three-year deal after just 12 months in order to head back to his native Brazil.

Willian was lured back to England in the summer by Fulham, who were bidding to add some top-flight nous to their Championship-winning squad.

And although the deal initially raised eyebrows, Willian has been a standout performer for Marco Silva's team, who have banished fears of relegation and are instead in the mix for a European spot.

Joorabchian has become the latest person to laud his client for the remarkable way in which he's turned the trajectory of his career around - and insists that there is no chance that he will be lured elsewhere after proving people who claimed he was "finished" wrong.

Referencing his client's doomed Arsenal stint, Joorabchian told talkSPORT: "I think 99% of people would have said that he [Willian] was finished when he left Arsenal: 'He's finished – he's done. His career is over.'

"Yesterday, we got a call from two top clubs. One said: 'This guy never ages.' The other said: 'He's like Peter Pan. How much would it cost to pull him out?' We said: 'It's not happening – he is staying at Fulham.'"



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-fulham-willian-transfers-latest-29082400

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Update detailed on potential West Brom, Fulham January deal

Fulham midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah could join West Bromwich Albion on loan or permanently but is unlikely to sign as well as Nottingham Forest's Lewis O'Brien, according to The Athletic.

EFL clubs have until midnight tomorrow to make their final moves in the transfer market – a period that could be particularly important for the teams in the hotly-contested race for Championship promotion.

Albion are among those and, according to The Athletic, signing a central midfielder is their priority.

The report claims that the West Brom hierarchy felt waiting until late in the window gave them the best chance of signing their targets, which include O'Brien and Chalobah.

It is said to be unlikely that both will join, with the latter potentially viewed as a late-window option.

Albion have reportedly been in talks with Fulham over the midfielder, who could sign permanently or on loan, but were unable to come to an agreement previously.

The 28-year-old helped Watford secure promotion to the top flight in 2020/21 and featured 22 times as the west Londoners did the same last term but has made just six appearances this season.

The Verdict
It's interesting to get some further insight into West Brom's stance on Chalobah.

Carlos Corberan is clearly keen to strengthen in the centre of the park but it seems unlikely both targets will join.

You'd imagine O'Brien would be the preferred target given what he achieved with the Spaniard last season but Chalobah would certainly be a strong addition.

West Brom will need to return to the negotiating table with Fulham to get a deal done – though the wheels may be greased if the west Londoners sign Sander Berge from Sheffield United.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/update-detailed-on-potential-west-brom-fulham-january-deal/

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Manager hopes for player's stay 'despite agreement with Fulham' – Silva wants him 'immediately'

Last Friday, we covered a report from TuttoMercatoWeb which stated Saša Lukić is close to joining Fulham after they made an offer to Torino.

A day later, Torino Granata reported the Italian club's president, Urbano Cairo, is expected to collect a good fee from the midfielder's sale to the Premier League side.

The Serbia international has not yet sealed a move to Fulham because negotiations are on 'stand-by', according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

It's explained the London club made a £10m bid to sign the player. His deal expires in 2024 and his renewal talks with the Italian club have been stalled since August.

Marco Silva's side would like to take the 26-year-old 'immediately', but the two clubs have not found an agreement for the transfer. The 'negotiations continued positively' at the weekend.

La Stampa, relayed by TuttoMercatoWeb, explain Torino manager Ivan Jurić would like to hold on to Lukić 'despite the agreement with Fulham'.

Torino are close to completing a deal for Hellas Verona's Ivan Ilić, and Jurić has informed the club leaders that 'Ilić must be added to Lukić, not be his replacement'.

Amid the coach's desire to retain Lukić, the report states the feeling is he will go another way, meaning he'll leave Torino for Fulham before the window closes on Tuesday.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/manager-hopes-players-stay-despite-agreement-fulham-silva-wants-immediately/