Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 15/08/23...

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Fulham holding firm on Mitrovic
Fulham are prepared to resist the latest Saudi Arabian interest in Aleksandar Mitrovic – and are confident that Marco Silva's reintegration of the Serbian striker into the first team squad has been so successful that he is prepared to stay at Craven Cottage.

The 28 year-old was the subject of two failed bids from Al Hilal earlier in the summer and, initially trained on his own during Fulham's pre-season tour of America, after the Saudi Pro League side failed to match the Whites' £52m asking price. Al Hilal, rumoured to be close to signing Brazilian forward Neymar, are said to be keen on returning with an improved offer for Mitrovic in the coming days – but their current proposals are understood to still fall short of Fulham's valuation.

Fulham believe they remain in a strong negotiating position over Mitrovic's future. The striker, who came off the bench on Saturday to play a pivotal part in the opening day win over Everton, retains a strong relationship with Marco Silva – who rejected repeated approaches from Al Hilal and other Saudi Arabian sides to stay in SW6 this summer – and is under contract at the Cottage until 2026.

The Londoners are concentrating on adding to Silva's weeks in the final fortnight of the transfer window and are not countenancing losing any of their key players. They continue to negotiate with Chelsea over a permanent deal for winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and are also targeting midfield reinforcements alongside bringing in back up for first choice full backs Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson.

Mitrovic, who fought off the pain of a knock on his troublesome ankle to start the move that led to Bobby Decordova-Reid's winner at Goodison Park, is expected to be available for selection against Brentford on Saturday. It remains to be seen whether Silva will hand Fulham's talisman a first start of the season in the local derby or stick with summer signing Raúl Jiménez up front.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/08/fulham-holding-firm-on-mitrovic/

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Al-Hilal 'revive interest in Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic'
Al-Hilal have reportedly renewed their interest in signing Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Saudi Pro League club attempted to prise the Serbian away from Craven Cottage earlier in the summer transfer window.

Fulham turned down a £35m bid from Al-Hilal last month, with the Cottagers looking for a fee in the region of £50m.

Mitrovic, who has three years left to run on his contract, was left frustrated with Fulham's decision to reject Al-Hilal's approach.

After reportedly vowing never to play for Fulham again, the Serbia international returned to training at the end of July.

Despite featuring as a substitute in Saturday's win over Everton, Mitrovic still faces an uncertain future at Craven Cottage.

According to The Standard, Al-Hilal are set to renew their interest and submit a fresh offer for the 28-year-old.

Mitrovic still wants to complete a move to Saudi Arabia, having already agreed personal terms on a lucrative deal which would triple his current £120,000 a week wages.

Al-Hilal are seemingly keen to bring in a striker alongside Neymar, who is set to join the Saudi Arabian side from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazil international is expected to undergo a medical after Al-Hilal reportedly reached an agreement with PSG over a deal worth up to £86m.

Speaking prior to Saturday's 1-0 victory against Everton, Fulham boss Marco Silva admitted that he could not offer any guarantees over Mitrovic's future.

Silva told reporters: "He's a top goalscorer. We helped him and were able to get the most out of him over two seasons, like no one has done before. That is the reality. We all know what Mitrovic was like when we arrived, when the team played in the Premier League when the club was relegated.

"But the market is open and everyone is looking for strikers. If you want to get a good striker, of course, I believe that [clubs will look at] Mitro.

"I cannot guarantee that he is going to be 100% with us until the end of the transfer market because I cannot control the market. I understand the football business and if something happens we have to be ready for it."

During his five-year stay at Craven Cottage, Mitrovic has scored 111 goals in 206 competitive appearances for the West London side.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/al-hilal/transfer-talk/news/al-hilal-revive-interest-in-fulhams-aleksandar-mitrovic_521156.html?newsnow

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"It seems a little odd" - QPR eye Fulham transfer agreement: The verdict
FLW writers have shared their thoughts on QPR's interest in Fulham's Jay Stansfield.

    QPR are interested in taking Jay Stansfield on loan for the upcoming season, along with three other Championship sides.
    Stansfield is a young and talented striker who has shown potential in League One, but has limited experience in the Championship.
    While QPR could benefit from bolstering their attacking line, it may be more beneficial for Stansfield to join a club that is not relying heavily on young players and near the bottom end of the table.

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...

Queens Park Rangers have made an enquiry to take Fulham striker Jay Stansfield on loan for the 2023/24 season.

That is according to the Evening Standard, who state that the Rs are one of four Championship sides who are interested in the young striker.

The 20-year-old originally came through the ranks at Exeter City but moved to Fulham very early in his career.

Stansfield has played tonnes of games for the Cottagers academy teams and has featured eight times for the first team.

But, as he is a bit off their first-team squad and spent last season on loan at Exeter City, the striker is said to be actively looking for another loan move for this season, and Fulham are willing to grant it if the right opportunity appears.

Would Jay Stansfield be a good signing for QPR?
As we wait to see if QPR win the race for Stansfield, FLW writers have shared their thoughts on the Championship side's interest and revealed whether they think the forward is ready for the Championship.

Here is what they said...

Brett Worthington
Out of the several areas that QPR still need to improve in, the forward line is one that is definitely screaming out for reinforcements.

So, it comes as little surprise that QPR is looking at potential options that may be available this late in the window. However, it may surprise you the type of profile they are considering, as Jay Stansfield is a very raw, up-and-coming talent who has only two appearances to his name in the Championship.

Stansfield was excellent for Exeter City last season and deserved all the plaudits he got, but there is a difference between League One and the Championship.

But, saying that Stansfield may be better suited at a club that isn't expected to be near the bottom end of the table and is already relying on young players.

QPR's forward line has Lyndon Dykes as their most experienced striker, with him supported by Sinclair Armstrong and Charlie Kelman, both inexperienced at this level.

So, it seems a little odd for QPR to decide to throw another young, inexperienced striker into the mix. If anything, the club needs someone who has been there and done it at the top end of the pitch and who can help the young forwards already at the club.

That said, Stansfield may be better off waiting and seeing which other Championship or League One teams come knocking, which they are bound to do.

Sam Rourke
Simply put, QPR need to bolster their attacking line and it's likely to be a priority for the club before the September 1st deadline.

The side really only have Lyndon Dykes and Sinclair Armstrong as genuine contenders for the striking role with Charlie Kelman also in the mix albeit his lack of experience is a concern.

Stansfield is an exciting, young forward who seriously impressed for the Grecians last term in League One, with him providing nine goals and seven assists for the club as they maintained their League One status.

It seems that Fulham are wanting to give Stansfield another loan move with a Championship switch the preference, and for me, I think QPR could actually be a really good fit.

He'd offer the R's a different dimension up-front and he could prove perfect foil to the likes of Dykes and Armstrong with his diminutive frame and pace something that Ainsworth's side could do with in attacking areas.

I'd be confident he'd get a lot of game time at Loftus Road as well and he'll no doubt be eager to show that he can excel at second tier level after a promising stint in League One last time out.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/it-seems-a-little-odd-qpr-eye-fulham-transfer-agreement-the-verdict/