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

[WhiteJC]

Games for the Weekend 06/05
We welcome Leicester City for a 3 o'clock Monday afternoon kickoff at the Cottage

We played really well against Liverpool but once again we came away empty handed, when are these "iffy" decisions going to even out? "On paper" we've not performed well against any of the "top 6", so far we've only gained a point from the opening day draw against Liverpool, and with only Man Utd to play at their place on the last day all the usual pundits will tell you that we've not played as well as we have. When you consider that most of the defeats were by the odd goal and more than one of those goals were from dubious penalties!
Vinicius had another good game, I'm sure he'll get another start against Leicester and the Diop Tosin pairing worked really well which is promising for the future.

Leicester will be looking for revenge from the 0-1 game at their place earlier in the season and as their currently out of the relegation zone only on gaol difference they'll be fighting for every point.

Our recent record against Leicester is very close 2 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw

Current Form:
Fulham – WWLLL
Leicester – LLWDD

my team would be...

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Saturday 6th
Bournemouth v Chelsea
Spurs v Palace
Liverpool v Brentford

Sunday 7th
Newcastle v Arsenal
West Ham v Man Utd

Monday 8th
Fulham v Leicester
Forest v Southampton
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=2689

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool, Manchester United 'learn Joao Palhinha asking price'

 Fulham have reportedly placed a valuation of at least £50m on Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha amid reports of interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.

The 27-year-old joined Marco Silva's side from Sporting Lisbon last summer, and he has impressed for the London club during the 2022-23 campaign.

Palhinha has scored four goals in 36 appearances for the Cottagers in all competitions, including three goals in 31 outings in the Premier League.

The Portugal international penned a five-year contract upon his arrival at Craven Cottage, but Fulham are likely to find it difficult to keep hold of him during this summer's transfer window.

Liverpool and Man United have both been credited with an interest, while Bayern Munich are also said to be considering moving for him during the summer market.

According to Football Insider, Fulham are desperate to keep hold of Palhinha, but the club would listen to offers in excess of £50m for the central midfielder.

Silva's side allegedly paid £20m for Palhinha last summer, while he is believed to collect wages of around £50,000 a week, meaning that he could be in line for a huge pay increase if he leaves this summer.

The midfielder came through the youth system at Sporting, making his debut for the first team in 2016, and he featured on 95 occasions for the club ahead of a switch to Fulham.

Liverpool are preparing to overhaul their midfield during the upcoming market, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all set to leave Anfield on free transfers.

Meanwhile, Man United are expected to be in the market for another midfielder this summer despite bringing Casemiro and Christian Eriksen to Old Trafford last year.

Palhinha has proved himself in the Premier League this season, while he also has Champions League experience from his time at Sporting, featuring on eight occasions in the competition.

The midfielder has also played 20 times for Portugal during his international career, including three outings at the 2022 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Palhinha started both of his country's Euro 2024 qualification matches against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg in March.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also allegedly being kept informed of the developments surrounding the future of the one-time Primeira Liga winner.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/liverpool-manchester-united-learn-palhinha-asking-price_513051.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham plot Mateus Uribe swoop

Fulham could sign 32-year-old FC Porto midfielder Mateus Uribe to replace Joao Palhinha, who's on the radar of Chelsea and Liverpool.

According to Football Insider, Fulham could push for the signature of Mateus Uribe in the upcoming transfer window. The Cottagers are expected to have a busy summer transfer window both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

They are well aware of the fact that Joao Palhinha has attracted a lot of attention of late. The 27-year-old has been sensational in his first season in England. And, the Cottagers expect a lot of bids for the Portuguese international in the summer, including from Chelsea and Liverpool.

While they do want to keep him at the club for another season, it will be difficult given the number of clubs that are after him. And, according to reports, Fulham could let Palhinha leave if they receive a bid in excess of £50 million.

With the 27-year-old's future at the club uncertain, the Cottagers have already started planning for life without him. Fulham are keeping a close eye on FC Porto midfielder Mateus Uribe.

The Cottagers are looking for a player who could easily slot into the midfield. They believe Uribe can be an ideal replacement for their 27-year-old midfielder. The 32-year-old Porto midfielder is someone who has great defensive awareness and can help the cause of Fulham.

Uribe has been a great servant for the Portuguese club over the last few seasons. He joined them back in the summer of 2019 and has since featured in 171 matches. Uribe also has 15 goals and seven assists to his name.

As far as the ongoing season is concerned, the 32-year-old has six goal contributions in 46 matches. He has been the mainstay of the Portuguese club in the centre of the park. Uribe's profile is quite similar to that of Palhinha.

And, with his contract is set to expire in a month's time and he is likely to part ways with Porto as a free agent. The 32-year-old could be an absolute bargain for the Cottagers. However, they will only push for Uribe if they end up selling their Portuguese international.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/05/04/fulham-plot-mateus-uribe-swoop/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham pair could head out the exit door this summer as updates emerge

Latest Fulham transfer news and rumours as they prepare for their next Premier League clash

Fulham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga is apparently poised to join loan club Girona on a permanent basis. The stopper has spent this season with the La Liga side and appears to have done enough to warrant a move there on a long-term basis.

As per Mundo Deportivo, he will link up with the Catalonia side on a deal until 2025. He was given the green light to join them last summer following the Cottagers' promotion from the Championship.

Fulham swooped to sign Bernd Leno as their number one from Arsenal and have Marek Rodak as back-up. Former Tottenham Hotspur man Gazzaniga is down the pecking order and deemed surplus to requirements.

He made the move to Craven Cottage back in 2021 and has since made 15 appearances for the London club in all competitions. The once-capped Argentina international has also played for the likes of Gillingham, Southampton, Rayo Vallecano and Elche in the past.

In terms of other potential outgoings, Fulham left-back Joe Bryan is also reportedly attracting interest from other English teams. He is currently out on loan at OGC Nice in France but his contract with his parent club expires at the end of June meaning he will become a free agent if nothing changes.

Bristol Live claim Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Millwall, Swansea City and Cardiff City are all interested in snapping him up. He doesn't appear to be short of interest from the Championship if he was to depart the Whites for nothing in the near future.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/fulham-pair-could-head-out-the-exit-door-this-summer-as-updates-emerge-4130991

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool: £60m star could have 'head turned' by move to Anfield
Transfer insider makes bold Liverpool suggestion amid links to £60 million Premier League star.

Liverpool could be sparked into a summer move for Fulham midfielder João Palhinha, transfer insider Dean Jones revealed to GIVEMESPORT.

Having missed out on primary target Jude Bellingham, Jones expects the Reds to be eyeing up a move for Palhinha when the transfer window opens.

Liverpool transfer news - João Palhinha
Less than one 12 months after joining, Fulham could be about to lose midfield anchorman Palhinha at the end of the season, should reports be believed.

It's claimed by Football Insider that Liverpool have earmarked Palhinha as a potential summer arrival, amid what could be a crucial midfield rebuild for Jürgen Klopp's side.

The report suggests that Liverpool, along with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, have been scouting the Portuguese international ever since he arrived in the Premier League last year.

Securing his services for a modest £20 million, Palhinha joined up with compatriot Marco Silva at Craven Cottage and has enjoyed a stellar maiden campaign in England.

Now, as the season draws to a close, there is talk he could be on the move once more.

What has Dean Jones said about Palhinha to Liverpool?
Speaking on the 27-year-old's future plans, transfer insider Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "Links with Palhinha began when Liverpool started to show a bit of interest and now the list of clubs linked to him is growing. I have spoken to contacts around Fulham about the threat of him leaving and they are relaxed.

"There has been no contact so far for them to be concerned about and actually they seem confident he will stick around for next season. I guess that is going to depend on who actually comes forward with an offer though.

"He really is extremely good in the centre of midfield and if there's a spot at a big club where he is guaranteed games then his head could be turned.

"I don't think he would settle for being a squad player, not after the impact he has had in the Premier League so far. Also we should bear in mind that a lot of his success has been down to his relationship with Marco Silva and the trust that is put in him by the manager.

"He breaks up play and gets across the park as well as anyone I have seen in the league all season, so I do expect more speculation when we get to the summer. But if we are going to guess a price it is going to take for him to be bought I think we are looking at the £50-£60 million mark."

Would Palhinha be a sensible signing for Klopp and Liverpool?
On the surface, Palhinha looks just what Liverpool need to add to their midfield. According to FBref, the ex-Sporting CP midfielder ranks inside the top one percent of players in his position for tackles made per 90 minutes.

A trait that was on display during Fulham's recent clash at Craven Cottage against Manchester United, where Palhinha made four tackles, completed two interceptions and finished the game with six recoveries (Fotmob).

However, aside from his ability to break up play, Palhinha doesn't necessarily fit the mould of a Klopp midfielder, with the Portuguese man boasting less than impressive passing statistics.

As per FBref, Palhinha averages just over 30 passes per match - a number that sees him ranked in the bottom 20% of all midfielders.



https://www.givemesport.com/man-city-manchester-city-sky-blues-kyle-walker-future-contract-aston-villa-ac-milan-pep-guardiola-premier-league-transfer-rumour-etihad-stadium/