Friday Fulham Stuff - 05/05/23...

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Results

Thursday
Brighton	1-0	Man Utd

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Liverpool penalty vs Fulham: Tom Cairney's interview proves VAR is a mess
Issa Diop was accused of fouling Darwin Nunez inside the penalty area...

Liverpool made it five Premier League wins in a row on Wednesday evening.

However, their latest victory was secured courtesy of a rather controversial penalty call, with the resulting spot kick scored by the in-form Mohamed Salah.

In the first half against Fulham at Anfileld, former West Ham United defender Issa Diop was accused of tripping Darwin Nunez inside the penalty area.

At first glance, it looked a foul - but the replays showed there was barely any contact whatsoever, certainly not enough to send Nunez tumbling to the ground.

Check out footage of the incident...

Video: Should Liverpool have been awarded a penalty vs Fulham?

Liverpool penalty vs Fulham... clear dive... so rigged 💀 pic.twitter.com/tHluhFhcYQ

— 💙 (@Everton_Nerd4) May 3, 2023

Yeah, that's not a penalty. Although, you can understand why referee Stuart Atwell initially gave it.

As such, VAR should have done the job it is required to do and stepped in to correct the mistake.

Atwell should have been sent over to the pitch-side monitor to review the call and if he had been asked to do, he would have overturned it.

But guess what? Those operating VAR in Stockley Park decided it wasn't the course of action to take.

Now you may be thinking; how do we know Atwell would have corrected his decision? Well, because the referee admitted to Fulham players in the second half that it wasn't a penalty.

According to Tom Cairney anyway...

Video: Cairney's interview about controversial Liverpool penalty

(In brief) According to the referee, he aided Liverpool's win tonight.

"He said they checked it, but he said second half to one of our players that it wasn't a penalty, so it's Frustrating because it goes to other people to make the correct decision." - Tom Cairney #FFC pic.twitter.com/2oftqbsWiT

— Fulham FC Ghana (@FulhamGhana) May 3, 2023

The midfielder said, per Fulham's official website: "I thought we played very well at times, but to lose to a penalty that wasn't a penalty is always a kick in the you-know-whats.

"At the time, I wasn't sure [if it was a penalty]. The ref made a decision, I thought he'd seen contact. I asked him on the pitch, 'please just make sure they check it.'

"He said they checked it, but he said second half to one of our players that it wasn't a penalty, so it's frustrating because it goes to other people to make the correct decision.

"Issa Diop hasn't touched him, Nunez has taken another step and then gone over, and then you lose to something like that at Anfield which is frustrating when we're trying to climb as high as we can."

Yeah, Cairney wasn't overly happy, which is more than understandable - especially given Fulham probably deserved a draw.

They had as many shots on target as Liverpool (3), despite the fact they were without so many key players, including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Andreas Pereira and Tim Ream.



https://www.givemesport.com/liverpool-penalty-vs-fulham-tom-cairneys-interview-proves-var-is-a-mess/

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Fulham claim referee Stuart Attwell admitted Liverpool penalty decision was incorrect during match

Fulham star Tom Cairney has emphasised his frustration at the moment which won Liverpool three points

Fulham captain Tom Cairney has expressed his frustration at the decision to award Liverpool the match-winning penalty.

Issa Diop was adjudged to have fouled Reds striker Darwin Nunez in the penalty area which subsequently handed Mohamed Salah the opportunity to score his ninth goal in his last eight games at Anfield. The Egyptian rifled his spot-kick home past the despairing Bernd Leno.

It proved to be the only goal of the game for the Reds in a win where they were forced to weather pressure from the Cottagers. The triumph takes Jurgen Klopp's side to within four points of Manchester United, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League place.

For last season's Championship winners, the defeat keeps them firmly in mid-table and five points off Brentford as they failed to narrow the gulf with their London rivals.

Cairney vented his dismay at the decision from Stuart Atwell to award Liverpool a penalty in the first-half further expressing his disappointment in VAR's failure to address the decision.

"I asked [the referee] on the pitch to check it," said the 32-year-old. "He said they checked it. It's frustrating because it goes to other people to make the correct decision.

"He said they checked it, but he said second half to one of our players that it wasn't a penalty, so it's frustrating because it goes to other people to make the correct decision. Issa Diop hasn't touched him, Nunez has taken another step and then gone over, and then you lose to something like that at Anfield which is frustrating when we're trying to climb as high as we can."



https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-midfielder-tom-cairney-makes-26838200

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"A no-brainer" - Stoke City eye bargain transfer swoop for Fulham player: The verdict
Stoke City are reportedly interested in Fulham's Joe Bryan.

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Stoke City are reportedly plotting a summer move for Fulham defender Joe Bryan.

According to Bristol Live, the Potters are one of a number of Championship sides interested in the 29-year-old, with former club Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Swansea City and Cardiff City also keeping tabs.

Bryan joined the Cottagers from the Robins in August 2018, but he has fallen out of favour under Marco Silva and has spent this season on loan in France with Nice.

He seems likely to be on the move this summer with his contract at Craven Cottage set to expire, putting a number of second tier clubs on alert ahead of the transfer window.

Would Joe Bryan be a good signing for Stoke City?
We asked some of our FLW writers for their thoughts on a potential move for Bryan to the bet365 Stadium...

James Reeves
Bryan would be an excellent signing for the Potters.

He has proven himself to be a quality performer at Championship level over the years, both defensively and offensively.

Alex Neil will likely be on the hunt for a new left-back this summer with Morgan Fox's contract set to expire and Dujon Sterling returning to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell and there could be no better option than Bryan.

He will bring plenty of experience to the bet365 Stadium and having won two promotions to the Premier League, will help instill a winning mentality in an underperforming squad.

The Potters will face plenty of competition for Bryan, but he is exactly the kind of player Neil needs to recruit if he is to turn his side into serious promotion contenders next season.

Josh Cole
With Stoke set to remain in the Championship for another year, Alex Neil will need to nail his transfer recruitment over the course of the summer in order to boost his side's chances of achieving success in the 2023/24 campaign.

A move for Joe Bryan is surely a no-brainer for the Potters as the defender has excelled at this level in his career to date.

Particularly impressive during the 2019/20 season, Bryan provided 10 direct goal contributions and made 2.6 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game in the Championship, recording an average WhoScored match rating of 7.15.

By replicating this level of performance in a Stoke shirt, Bryan will become an instant hit with the club's supporters who will be desperate to see their side push on next season.

Brett Worthington
This is a bit of a strange one from Stoke.

There is no doubt that Bryan is a very good defender, especially at Championship level, but the Potters already have options in that area of the squad, so it is a surprise they are looking to sign Bryan this summer.

The 29-year-old has shown during his Bristol City and Fulham days that he is a very good defender at this level, but his career has stalled as of late, and with him now playing in France for Nice, you wonder if he is the right option for Alex Neil.

The club already has Josh Tymon and Morgan Fox, so there are options, but if Neil was thinking of a change this summer, you could argue there are better options out there than Bryan at this moment in time.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/a-no-brainer-stoke-city-eye-bargain-transfer-swoop-for-fulham-player-the-verdict/

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Club shy away from Fulham transfer tussle – Whites with clearer route to signing

There's good news for Fulham in the race for Porto midfielder Mateus Uribe.

As reported by Mais Futebol, Flamengo, one of the clubs who had also been interested in his signing, have stepped down from the competition.

Their decision was made public by club director Bruno Spindel when speaking to the Brazilian media this week.

"He was offered, as many athletes are offered. That was basically it. The athlete we were interested in, everyone knows, was Matheus Uribe, but it didn't materialise."

Covering the quotes, Mais Futebol claim Flamengo had even made a bid for Uribe, so an offer to him personally given his contract with Porto expires this summer. Then they claim that Fulham joined the race for his signing in April.

In fact, the Portuguese media several times reported the Whites' interest in the midfielder in the past month, with several sources backing it up.

Uribe knows he should have many offers on his table once the season ends, with the likes of Atletico Madrid and Lazio also linked, and that may be the reason why Flamengo gave up.

It's been reported in Portugal that the midfielder is demanding a salary worth €3m per season after tax, and Fulham could have a financial advantage over other clubs.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-shy-away-fulham-transfer-tussle-whites-clearer-route-signing/

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Liverpool fan's x-rated response to Carlos Vinicius booting Anfield advertising boards

Carlos Vinicius had a couple of chances to get his name on the score-sheet at Anfield but thankfully for us, Alisson Becker was always on hand to keep any efforts away from his net.

One such chance in the second-half clearly frustrated the Fulham forward, as he was soon running to the Anfield Road End advertising boards and took out his frustration on them.

Cameras present managed to capture one supporter's feelings toward this show of petulance from the former Tottenham man and let's say he wasn't best pleased!

It seemed a little over the top from both men but what's football without a bit of ill-placed passion!



https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/05/04/liverpool-x-rated-vinicius-advertising/

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Millwall boss responds to transfer link to Fulham defender Joe Bryan

Millwall boss Gary Rowett has responded to a transfer link to Fulham left-back Joe Bryan.

The defender could be out of contract this summer although the west Londoners hold an option to extend his terms by a further 12 months.

Bryan, 29, is on loan at French club Nice.

"At this stage of the season it is transfer time – where players are going to be linked and there are ones we are going to get mentioned in the same breath as," Rowett told the South London Press. "We'll have lots of targets for the summer, depending on which division we're in and depending where we are.

"There will lots of them. I'm not going to rule anyone in or rule anyone out. I haven't sat down and specifically nailed down which players we are going to be looking to sign.

"He is a good player. He's been a good player for a number of years at this level. I'm sure there will be a lot of interest from lots of teams in someone like him."



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/millwall-boss-responds-to-transfer-link-to-fulham-defender-joe-bryan/

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Man of the Match Result: Liverpool

Antonee Robinson has been voted as your Man of the Match from our clash with Liverpool on Wednesday evening.

Despite the result, the left-back impressed throughout the game, fulfilling both his defensive and attacking duties. He kept the ever-dangerous Mo Salah at bay, whilst causing Liverpool problems, completing 2/2 tackles and 3/3 dribbles.

It was a fairly close run race for Man of the Match, with Antonee Robinson securing 30.4% of the vote, followed by Carlos Vinicius 19.6% and Tosin 11.6%.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/may/04/man-of-the-match-result-liverpool/

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"Shouldn't miss the opportunity" - Bristol City hold potential advantage in Joe Bryan chase: The verdict
FLW writers reflect on Bristol City's links to former defender Joe Bryan

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Bristol City have been linked with re-signing academy product Joe Bryan.

A report from Bristol Live has revealed that the Robins are among a host of Championship clubs in pursuit of the 29-year-old, who is out of contract at Fulham this summer.

Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City, Millwall, Stoke City, and Swansea City are all said to be interested but it thought the Robins have an advantage as Bryan is impressed by the positive direction things are moving in under Nigel Pearson and there is the emotional pull of returning to his boyhood club.

Would Joe Bryan be a good signing for Bristol City?

Ned Holmes
The heart says yes but the head isn't quite sure this will happen.

Joe Bryan is a fantastic player at Championship level and would raise the quality of Nigel Pearson's squad but they already have an exciting left-back in Cam Pring.

Having Bryan and Pring to compete for the spot would be ideal, particularly given the injury issues City have faced in recent seasons, but it sounds as though the in-demand free agent is keen to ensure he heads somewhere that he can play regularly.

Could he get that assurance at Ashton Gate? I'm not so sure based on how good Pring has been this term.

There is an argument that the sizeable wage it may cost to bring him to Bs3 could be better spent drafting in a younger, high-potential player to play second fiddle to the incumbent.

But if Bryan is willing to make the move and the deal works financially, then City shouldn't miss the opportunity.

James Reeves
Bryan would be an excellent signing for Bristol City.

He has proven himself to be a quality performer in the Championship, both defensively and offensively and he would be an outstanding addition for the Robins.

With Jay Dasilva out of contract in the summer, left-back is a position Nigel Pearson will likely be looking to strengthen and there could be no better option than Bryan.

He will bring plenty of experience to Ashton Gate which will be hugely beneficial for the club's young squad, while he will also help to instill a winning mentality after winning two promotions from the Championship with Fulham.

The Robins will face no shortage of competition for Bryan's signature, but his emotional connection to the club could prove to be a decisive factor.

Ben Wignall
With Jay DaSilva seemingly on his way out of Ashton Gate, Nigel Pearson is going to need to bring in another left-back to battle with Cameron Pring for a place in the starting 11.

And with all of his experience at Championship level, Bryan would be a solid enough addition to the Robins squad.

Bryan hasn't played much at all on loan in France at OGC Nice this season, but at the age of 29 he will still feel as though he has something to offer as an attacking full-back.

City won't have a big budget to spend this summer either unless they cash in on Alex Scott, so they have to be shrewd with their business - Bryan could be a smart pick-up if he wants to return to Ashton Gate.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/a-decisive-factor-bristol-city-hold-advantage-in-joe-bryan-chase-the-verdict/

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Fulham man will depart Craven Cottage this summer – Has already 'reached agreement' with new club

Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga will be leaving Fulham to join Girona on a free transfer in the summer when his contract at Craven Cottage comes to an end.

That's according to La Ser, relayed by Mundo Deportivo, who say the goalkeepers performances on loan at the Spanish side this season have 'prompted' those in charge at Montilivi to 'make a move' for him.

According to their information the Fulham goalkeeper will be signing with Girona on a permanent basis when his contract with Fulham comes to an end.
-Advertisement-

He's been on loan from Fulham since the summer and impressed, managing four clean sheets in 22 games in La Liga and conceding just 27 in those appearances.

He's now set to sign a deal until 2025 with the Spanish side and has turned down 'big offers' from elsewhere to remain where he is, including one from Villarreal.

He wants to remain at the club where he has 'returned to the limelight' this season and his performances have given the club 'security and confidence' to continue with him for another two years.

They have now 'reached an agreement' on a deal for him to join on a permanent basis once his current contract at Fulham ends on June 2023.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-man-will-depart-craven-cottage-summer-already-reached-agreement-new-club/

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Tom Cairney hails Fulham progress despite 'frustrating' Liverpool penalty decision

Cottagers narrowly beaten at Anfield

Fulham would have been laughed out of London for predicting a higher Premier League finish than Chelsea, and yet the fanciful has become reality in just 10 months.

The Cottagers are on course to complete a remarkable top-flight return, with a top-half finish fully in sight and a stunning overhaul of crisis club Chelsea in the offing.

Club captain Tom Cairney hailed the "enormous" differences between Fulham's latest Premier League quest and their previous top-tier failures.

Not even a 1-0 loss at Liverpool on Wednesdat night, courtesy of a hotly-disputed penalty, could burst Fulham's bubble.

"We've made massive, massive strides this season, which people didn't expect us to, so we can take a lot of positives from that moving forward," said Cairney.

"The differences this year from the last times in the Premier League are enormous. If we said we'd be above Chelsea after 34 games at the start of the season, people wouldn't have believed us. We're in the top half, and we deserve to be."

Mo Salah's first-half spot-kick secured Liverpool's slender victory at Anfield last night, a win that Jurgen Klopp's men had to battle hard to complete.

Issa Diop was ruled to have fouled Darwin Nunez for Salah's penalty, but Fulham were left frustrated by a decision they felt went the wrong way.

With 45 points from 34 games and sitting pretty in 10th place, however, a season that was touted as a relegation dogfight has turned into an impressively solid top-flight platform.

Silva's side will face Leicester, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Manchester United to close out the campaign, with time left to seal one of the most memorable first Premier League seasons back in the big time.

Fulham sit five points behind Brentford in ninth, but five ahead of Palace in 11th. The Craven Cottage men may not see any more movement in the table this term, but there will be precious few complaints in south-west London.

"Performance-wise, we've done really well all season," said Cairney. "A newly-promoted team coming to Anfield and pushing to score at one-nil down in the 90th minute shows how far we've come."

Fulham pushed Liverpool all the way, with Carlos Vinicius drawing two good saves from Alisson and Bobby De Cordova-Reid going close with the final act of the match.

"We played well at times, but to lose to a penalty that wasn't a penalty is always a kick in the you-know-whats," said Cairney. "At the time I wasn't sure if it was a penalty. The ref made a decision, I thought he'd seen contact. I asked him on the pitch, 'please just make sure they check it'. He said they checked it, but he said [in the] second half to one of our players that it wasn't a penalty, so it's frustrating.

"Issa Diop hasn't touched him, Nunez has taken another step and then gone over, and you lose to something like that at Anfield, which is frustrating."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tom-cairney-liverpool-fc-fulham-penalty-nunez-premier-league-2023-b1078802.html

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Inter Milan Targeting Ex-Man City Defender Who's Had Breakout Premier League Season At Fulham

Inter Milan are targeting ex-Man City defender Tosin Adarabioyo who's had a breakout season in the Premier League at Fulham, as a replacement for PSG destined Milan Skriniar.

This according to British tabloid The Daily Mail who report that Inter Milan scouts were impressed with how he handled Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland this past Sunday in the Premier League.

Adarabioyo kept the Norwegian superstar quiet in a 2-1 win for Pep Guardiola's outfit where Haaland scored from the spot for the opener.

Aside from that the former Borussia Dortmund striker was kept quiet by Adarabioyo for the rest of the match.

This report follows recent reports from Sky Sport UK which suggested that the Nerazzurri were keeping an eye on the Fulham defender as a possible replacement for Milan Skriniar.

Came Up Through The Manchester City Youth Ranks
The 25-year-old was born in Manchester and came up through the youth ranks at Manchester City, featuring eight times for the first team in the Carabao Cup as well as the FA Cup, but never featured in the Premier League.

He then spent two seasons on loan in The Championship with first West Bromwich Albion and then Blackburn Rovers before joining Fulham on a permanent basis on October 2020.

The defender signed an initial three-year deal, with the club holding an option to extend the contract for another year.

Adarabioyo has made 102 appearances across all competitions for Fulham since joining the club in the summer of 2020, scoring thrice in the process.

He was part of the Fulham squad that were relegated from the Premier League at the end of his first season with the Cottagers, but then helped them win promotion under Marco Silva in his second season.

The Englishman has featured 14 times for England at the U-15 to U-19 level, but is yet to be capped by Gareth Southgate for the Three Lions.



https://sempreinter.com/2023/05/04/inter-milan-target-ex-man-city-defender-fulham-premier-league-skriniar-psg-replacement/

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2023/24 Season Ticket Renewals

The 2023/24 Season Ticket Renewal Window opens at 10am on Tuesday 9th May!

Marco Silva's Fulham side have enjoyed a memorable return to the top-flight, and with the renewal window opening from next Tuesday, existing Season Ticket Holders will be able to secure their seat for another season of Premier League action!

Fans who held a 2022/23 Season Ticket in the Hammersmith & Putney Ends or Johnny Haynes Stand, and have not since purchased a 2023/24 Season Ticket in the Riverside Stand, will be able to renew their 2022/23 seat from 10am on Tuesday 9th May.

Upon receiving feedback from a number of Fulham fans, and in the spirit of striving to accommodate the interests of our supporters whenever possible, the Club is offering an extension of the renewal deadline for 2023/24 season tickets until 5pm on Wednesday 31st May.

After this date, two seat move windows will take place for supporters who have renewed for 2023/24 season, providing fans with the chance to move seats to either alternative locations or to sit alongside friends and family:

Window 1: 10am-5pm, Thursday 1st June - for displaced 2022/23 Season Ticket Holders*

Window 2: 10am-5pm, Friday 2nd June - for all 2023/24 Season Ticket Holders

*Current Riverside Stand Season Ticket Holders who have decided not to renew in The Riverside for 2023/24 season and Season Ticket Holders sat in Block P4, whose seat has been lost due to the increase required for the away club's seating allocation next season.

In order to guarantee a seat at Craven Cottage for 2023/24 season, all fans in these groups should purchase a new seat from Tuesday 9th May, when all unreserved locations within Craven Cottage become available to buy. Moves will then be accomodated, subject to availablity, for 2023/24 Season Ticket Holders during the exclusive seat move windows.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/may/04/2023-24-season-ticket-renewals/

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Referee Stuart Attwell told Fulham players Liverpool should NOT have been awarded a penalty for Issa Diop's foul on Darwin Nunez, claims Tom Cairney, with Mo Salah's spot kick handing Jurgen Klopp's side victory

    Fulham's Issa Diop was adjudged to have fouled Darwin Nunez against Liverpool
    Mohamed Salah scored the penalty which proved to be the decisive in a 1-0 win
    Tom Cairney has claimed that referee Stuart Attwell admitted to making an error

Fulham captain Tom Cairney has claimed that referee Stuart Attwell admitted he made a mistake over Liverpool's match-winning penalty.

Liverpool clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over the Cottagers thanks to Mohamed Salah's 39th minute penalty.

The spot-kick had been awarded after Issa Diop was adjudged to have fouled Darwin Nunez as the striker sprinted to steal the ball from the Fulham defender.

Attwell pointed to the spot and VAR did not overturn the penalty, leaving Cairney and his Fulham team mates feeling aggrieved. 

Cairney has now claimed that Attwell told one of his team mates that the wrong decision had been made.
 

Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Darwin Nunez (left) was adjudged to have been brought down by Fulham defender Issa Diop

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, he said: 'The ref made a decision, I thought he had seen contact. I asked him 'please just make sure they (VAR) check it'.

'He said they had checked it but then he said in the second-half to one of our players that it wasn't a penalty.

'So it's frustrating because it goes to other people to make the correct decision.

'Issa Diop hasn't touched him, Nunez has taken another step and then gone over, and then you lose to something like that at Anfield which is frustrating when we're trying to climb as high as we can.'

It comes just days after Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason criticised Paul Tierney for failing to send off Diogo Jota for a high boot on Oliver Skipp.
 

Fulham players felt aggrieved over the awarding of the penalty by Attwell (left), with VAR reviewing the incident but deciding to stick with the on-field decision from the referee

Jota went on to score the game's winning goal in a thrilling 4-3 victory for the Reds.

In what has been a frustrating season for the Reds, their victory over Fulham was their fifth win in a row - their best run of the campaign.

Liverpool have narrowed the gap to the top-four to four points, though fourth placed Manchester United have two games in hand. 

For Fulham it was their third consecutive defeat, though they comfortably sit inside the top-half of the Premier League table in 10th - five points ahead of Crystal Palace. 



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12046747/Fulham-captain-claims-Stuart-Attwell-admitted-Liverpool-shouldnt-awarded-penalty.html

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Fulham pull out of race to sign PSG forward giving Turkish giants transfer boost

Galatasaray have received a transfer boost after Fulham pulled out of the race to sign PSG forward Mauro Icardi according to Aksam.

Per the source, the Cottagers were reportedly interested in signing the Argentine striker and were ready to offer €12m which could have risen to €15m with bonuses.

However, the London based side pulled out reportedly due to the reaction from the fans and Icardi's wage demands.

The development was a boost for Galatasaray who want to keen Icardi on either on beyond the end of the season.

The forward still has 12 months remaining on his PSG contract so this will be the last chance the French giants have to cash in unless they sign a new deal.

Icardi has settled in well in Turkey and has been a star player for Galatasaray this season who are first in the league table, three points ahead of second placed Fenerbahce.

The 30-year-old has directly been involved in 21 goals this season, scoring 14 and providing seven assists in 19 games for the Lions in the league.

The report claims that Icardi is happy in Turkey and does want to stay at Galatasaray but all that depends on his aprent club PSG.



https://turkish-football.com/fulham-pull-out-of-race-to-sign-psg-forward-mauro-icardi-giving-turkish-giants-galatasaray-transfer-boost/

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"A top-quality player" - Blackburn Rovers in pursuit of free agent: The verdict
FLW writers reflect on Blackburn Rovers' interest in Fulham defender Joe Bryan

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Blackburn Rovers are one of a host of Championship clubs keen on Fulham defender Joe Bryan, according to Bristol Live.

The 29-year-old is set to become a free agent when his Craven Cottage contract expires in the summer and there is no shortage of interest from the second tier.

The report claims that, alongside Rovers, Bristol City, Cardiff City, Millwall, Stoke City, and Swansea City are in the race for Bryan.

Would Joe Bryan be a good signing for Blackburn Rovers?
Our FLW writers share their thoughts...

Alfie Burns
Joe Bryan is going to be an excellent pick-up for a club in the Championship this summer, if he does indeed move back to the EFL.

You've only got to look at the widespread interest to realise he would be an asset for most of the division.

He's assured in possession and defensively solid enough to make him a safe pair of hands in the Championship.

It's the type of signing Blackburn shouldn't turn their nose up at, yet I would question whether it's something they desperately need to get over the line this summer.

Harry Pickering has been very good for Rovers this season and, at 24, is only going to get better. It would be foolish to bring in Bryan and stunt his development.

With so much interest, Bryan is going to be on the lookout for the best deal going. You'd question, then, whether Blackburn need to bother getting involved in discussions likely to centre around a handsome weekly wage when they have a capable player on their books with potential to get better.

Bryan is quality and will get a good club, it's just whether he's the right fit for Blackburn.

Josh Cole
This would be an impressive move by Blackburn if they are able to convince Bryan to make the switch to Ewood Park this summer.

Regardless of what division Rovers find themselves in next season, Bryan would certainly be a good addition to their squad.

As well as making 44 Premier League appearances during his career to date, the defender knows exactly what it takes to succeed in the Championship as he has featured on 202 occasions at this level.

Bryan will be able to provide some sufficient competition for Harry Pickering, who has been utilised regularly by Jon Dahl Tomasson this season.

The arrival of Bryan may force Pickering to take his game to new heights which in turn could lead to an upturn in Blackburn's fortunes.

Ned Holmes
Joe Bryan would be a fantastic addition to most Championship squads and Blackburn Rovers are no different.

He's proven himself a top-quality player at this level and on a free transfer, signing the 29-year-old would represent a shrewd bit of business.

That said, Harry Pickering has impressed this season and that might make things a bit difficult.

Rovers surely won't want to block the 24-year-old's development by making him second choice, but Bryan wants to move somewhere that he's playing regular football.

Having the two competing for one place would be the dream scenario, but I'm not convinced that would work for the in-demand soon-to-be free agent.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/a-top-quality-player-blackburn-rovers-in-pursuit-of-free-agent-the-verdict/

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Leicester City predicted XI vs Fulham: Dean Smith could make two changes

How Leicester City could set up when they go to Craven Cottage next week looking to record a fourth game unbeaten and move themselves closer to Premier League survival

Dean Smith could make two line-up changes when he takes his Leicester City side to Fulham next Monday.

Smith brought three new faces into the 11 for the 2-2 draw with Everton, starting Jamie Vardy in place of the injured Kelechi Iheanacho, while also bringing in Luke Thomas for Victor Kristiansen and Wilfred Ndidi for Tete.

Neither Thomas nor Ndidi made a big impact upon their recalls to the starting line-up, and so both are at risk of dropping out when City take on the Cottagers looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

Kristiansen is the only alternative to Thomas, but there are multiple options for replacing Ndidi. Smith could call on Tete again so that James Maddison can go back into the number 10 slot, but he could also choose one of the other midfielders in the squad.

He has Dennis Praet, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Papy Mendy to pick from, and it may be that Praet is the man to get the nod. He has appeared off the bench in all four of Smith's matches so far, while Dewsbury-Hall and Mendy have been unused substitutes for each of the past two games.

Otherwise, there are unlikely to be too many tweaks, unless there are fitness issues. Daniel Iversen is in good form in goal, while Wout Faes and Caglar Soyuncu have established themselves as Smith's first-choice centre-back pairing. Timothy Castagne will keep the right-back spot, albeit Ricardo Pereira is getting closer to recovering, and that could see the Belgian switched to the left in the coming weeks.

Youri Tielemans and Boubakary Soumare have also been regulars under Smith, albeit the manager was disappointed by the number of unforced errors in the midfield against Everton. At the top of the pitch, Vardy is almost certain to start after scoring two in two, as is Harvey Barnes on the left side.

Predicted City line-up (4-3-3): Iversen; Castagne, Faes, Soyuncu, Kristiansen; Soumare, Tielemans, Praet; Maddison, Vardy, Barnes.



https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-predicted-xi-vs-8411475

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Bayern Munich scoping out English Premier League midfielder to partner with Joshua Kimmich
Could this be the six Bayern have been waiting for?

Bayern Munich's search for a new number six is reportedly heading up. According to @iMiaSanMia, Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke has the scoop: that Bayern had sent a scouting contingent to the Aston Villa - Fulham match on April 25, a 1-0 win for Villa.

It's Fulham midfielder João Palhinha reportedly in Bayern's sights. The 27-year-old Portuguese talent has been a nailed-on starter since his move last summer transfer window from Sporting for €20 million.

Per O'Rourke, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel thinks Palhinha "would tick a lot of boxes" for the number six role — one which might enable Joshua Kimmich to play further up the pitch, or for Bayern to move to a midfield three and accommodate both Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. O'Rourke went further to say that a chance to play for one of Europe's top clubs would be "too hard to pass up" for Palhinha and also that Fulhman would want €50 million for him.

But it's hard to say if this is anything more than speculation, or teams and agents putting out signals and noise to the market. "Several top European clubs" are also apparently in the mix to pry Palhinha away after just one season at Fulham.



https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2023/5/4/23710442/bayern-munich-premier-league-midfielder-joao-palhinha-fulham-joshua-kimmich-goretzka-transfer-rumors

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Jay Stansfield: Exeter City loan 'the best thing' for Fulham youngster

Jay Stansfield was an academy player at Exeter City before moving to Fulham

Jay Stansfield says joining Exeter City on loan from Fulham has been the best thing for his career.

The 20-year-old moved back to his boyhood club from the Premier League side on the summer transfer deadline.

He followed in the footsteps of his late father Adam and has gone on to score six goals in 38 appearances for City this season.

"Dropping down the divisions was the best thing to do personally," Stansfield told BBC Sport.

"I've come here and developed as a player and learnt a lot about myself and a lot about how to react on the pitch.

"I think playing in the Premier League is brilliant, but I'm still only 20 and I've got a lot to learn and more experience to gain.

"League One's a great level to play in, it's tough but enjoyable and is challenging."

Stansfield came to Exeter having made three Premier League appearances for Fulham in August and his high-energy style has been a favourite of fans at St James Park.

"He's a fantastic character and individual first and foremost, but on top of that he's a football player with huge potential," Exeter manager Gary Caldwell told BBC Sport.

"He's learned a lot, I think it's been fantastic loan for him in terms of what he's got in terms of game-time first and foremost.

"He's gone through a full range of different emotions and experiences that for a young player is amazing.

"I think he's a player of Premier League potential, whether he fulfils that is down to him."


Jay Stansfield was named EFL Young Player of the Month for October

Stansfield's father was an Exeter City player when he died of cancer in 2010 aged 31.

He played more than 140 games for the Devon club across four seasons, scoring 37 goals - and Jay has worn the number nine shirt that the club retired in the wake of his father's death.

"I can't thank everyone at Exeter - the club, the players, all the staff, and especially the fans - enough for welcoming me back here with such open arms, and sticking by me. I went 23 games without a goal and some fans can turn massively and show disbelief in you, but these fans have stuck by me the whole way," he said.

"Everyone remembers my Dad here, but I came here to make a name for myself and I think I have done that.

"We're very different people at different levels in our career at my age, but its a privilege to come here and wear that shirt, not just for me but my family."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65482612

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Arsenal have quietly generated an extra £2m that can help fund deals in summer transfer window

Bernd Leno swapped Arsenal for Fulham in the summer transfer window and helping his new club avoid relegation from the Premier League this season is good news for his former side

It may have slipped under the radar that Arsenal have generated an extra £2m from the sale of Bernd Leno.

The German goalkeeper, who had lost his status as the Gunners' first-choice option in between the sticks to Aaron Ramsdale last season, sealed a switch to London rivals and newly-promoted Fulham in the summer transfer window thus bringing an end to a four-year spell at the Emirates Stadium.

"Hey Arsenal fans, it's time to move on for me," he wrote on Twitter after the move was finalised. "It's been a pleasure to be part of this great football club for 4 amazing years. Thank you very much for your support. Also a big thank you to my teammates and the staff behind the team. I'm looking forward to see you soon!"

As per Sky Sports, Leno signed a three-year deal at Craven Cottage with the Cottagers paying £3m up front to secure his services with the overall package being worth up to £8m with the north London outfit due to receive a further £1m depending on how many appearances the keeper makes.

Having been an unused substitute for Fulham's first two Premier League games of the season, Leno made his debut in their 3-2 win over Brentford in gameweek three and has been ever-present since - playing home and away against former club Arsenal and conceding five goals in the process.

However, despite those losses at the hands of Mikel Arteta's side as well as losing their last three in a row - against Aston Villa, Manchester City and most recently Liverpool on Wednesday night - it has been a good campaign for the west London outfit as they've already achieved their target.

Tipped by many for an immediate return to the Championship, as things stand Fulham sit 10th in the Premier League table - above Chelsea - 15 points clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining which means survival has been guaranteed which is a huge achievement for Marco Silva.

This is also great news for Arsenal as football.london can confirm that the aforementioned report which stated the club were due to receive £2m if the Cottagers managed to avoid relegation is indeed the case and a further £2m is on the way if Sliva's side can repeat the trick next season.

Whilst it's not a huge sum of cash, the windfall could end up having an impact on available transfer funds for Arteta and sporting director Edu ahead of the summer window with Declan Rice a priority target and links to the likes of Marc Guehi, Romeo Lavia, Moussa Diaby and Moises Caicedo among others.



https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-2m-deals-summer-transfer-26841645