Thursday Fulham Stuff - 23/11/23...

[WhiteJC]

Wolves hero is enduring a nightmare at his new club after Lopetegui sold him
This former £30m Wolves star is having a nightmare in front of goal ever since leaving Molineux.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were rock bottom of the Premier League heading into last year's World Cup break back in November but were rescued in the end by Julen Lopetegui, who arrived at Molineux having guided Sevilla to three consecutive top-four finishes in La Liga.

Lopetegui worked wonders with the Old Gold as his side climbed from 20th to 13th and finished seven points from safety. However, Wolves did end the campaign with the worst goal return in the league, having scored just 31 times in 38 games.

Nevertheless, despite this woeful record in front of goal, Lopetegui's last act as manager was to sell Wolves' top goalscorer in the Premier League era.

Raul Jimenez's statistics at Wolves
Raul Jimenez was one of Wolves' first major acquisitions after being promoted back to the Premier League in 2018. Having initially signed the Mexico international on a season-long loan, the Midlands club made the move permanent for a record fee of £30m, although Jimenez has since dropped down to being the fourth most-expensive player in Wolves' history.

The centre-forward quickly cemented himself as a legend at Molineux, scoring 57 goals and registering 24 assists in all competitions across five different seasons, although a nasty head collision during the 2020/21 campaign hampered his ability to add to this tally.

Regardless, Jimenez broke two club records by scoring more Premier League goals than anyone else for Wolves while also becoming the side's top-scorer in Premier League history, with 40 in total. Former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo described Jimenez as a "special player" during his stint in charge of the attacker.

Unfortunately, in his final season with Wolves, the 32-year-old scored only three goals in 20 matches but failed to find the net once in the league. In the end, the striker was sold to Fulham for £5.5m, which is just less than six times what the club signed him for four years ago.

Jimenez's stats this season
After years of yoyoing between the Premier League and the Championship, Fulham had finally found stability, maintaining their top-flight status last term by finishing impressively in tenth place.

However, Marco Silva was dealt a massive blow during the summer when the club accepted a £43m bid from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for star striker Aleksandr Mitrovic, who managed a 111-goal haul in his six seasons at Craven Cottage. While Jimenez may have initially been signed as a backup, he was quickly handed the number one spot up top due to Mitrovic's departure.

So far, the move has been disastrous. After the previous campaign's top-ten finish, the Cottagers are sitting 15th, seven points off the relegation places. Fulham are currently the joint-second-lowest goalscorers in the Premier League too, having converted merely 10 chances in 12 matches.

A late consolation goal in a 3-1 away defeat at Aston Villa prior to the November international break was Jimenez's only strike of the season so far since moving to London.

In fact, Lopetegui's decision to offload the Mexican has proven to be the correct one as Hwang Hee-chan has outscored Jimenez this season, having stepped up to become Wolves' first-choice number '9' in his absence. Hwang is Wolves' most potent player this term and has outperformed Fulham's summer signing in a number of key attacking metrics.

Per 90 Metrics	Raul Jimenez	Hwang Hee-chan
Goals	0.13	0.70
Expected Goals	0.23	0.31
Shots	1.97	2.09
Shots On Target	0.79	0.70
Shots Per Goal	0.07	0.03

Stats via FBref.

Jimenez's goalscoring statistics had been declining for the past two seasons so it was a wise decision to pass the torch to Hwang and recuperate some of the former's transfer fee by selling an ageing and declining striker to a Premier League rival.



https://www.footballfancast.com/wolverhampton-wanderers-julen-lopetegui-raul-jimenez-hwang-hee-chan-premier-league/

[WhiteJC]

Andre: Fulham ahead of Liverpool and Man United in race to sign £30m Brazil star
Fulham are expected to spend big on the midfielder and possibly a new striker

Fulham are targeting a January move for Fluminense midfielder Andre, with Wolfsburg striker Jonas Wind among potential forward options.

Marco Silva is expected to be heavily backed in the transfer market after signing a new contract until 2026.

Fulham have moved ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to sign Andre after their chief executive Alistair Mackintosh flew to Brazil for face-to-face talks last week.

Mackintosh was at the iconic Maracana stadium to watch the 22-year-old Brazil international lead Fluminense to victory over Boca Juniors in the final of the Copa Libertadores.

Talks over a potential £30million move continue as Andre seeks a Premier League move after the Brazilian season ends in early December.

His signing would be a major coup for Fulham, with Liverpool out of the race and looking at defensive targets. Manchester United have only enquired so far.

Wind is among the targets to boost Silva's struggling attack.

He has scored nine goals in 13 matches for Wolfsburg this season, as well as contributing three goals and three assists in his last eight appearances for Denmark.

Several clubs across Europe have also been monitoring the 24-year-old, who is understood to have other Premier League admirers besides Fulham.

Fulham are weighing up whether to enter the market for a striker in January.

Carlos Vinicius, Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz are sharing game-time up front but all struggling to replace the goals of Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serb left for Saudi side Al-Hilal this summer, having scored 14 Premier League goals last season.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-andre-transfer-liverpool-man-utd-b1121942.html

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool At Real Risk Of Missing Out On Key Target, Fulham Ahead Of Reds
Liverpool are now at real risk of missing out on key target Andre after Fulham chief executive Alistair Mackintosh held talks face-to-face in Brazil last week, according to the Evening Standard.

The 22-year-old midfielder is widely regarded as one of the best talents in South America and is soon expected to move to Europe.

Several European clubs have been keeping tabs on the player, with Liverpool especially keen, having explored a move in the summer and now looking towards a January deal.

However, the Merseyside giants are prioritising defensive options, while Manchester United have only made an enquiry.

And Fulham have used the opportunity to move ahead of Liverpool in the chase for Andre's signature.

Mackintosh was in Brazil last week to hold face-to-face talks with Fluminense and the player about a potential move in January.

A £30m move is being discussed and Andre is keen on a move to the Premier League in the winter window.

Marco Silva is a fan of the 24-year-old and wants to add him to his Fulham squad in January.

It was suggested just days ago that an unnamed Premier League side are preparing to bid for Andre and Fulham could be that club.

Missing out on Andre would be a big blow to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who is a big fan of the player.



https://insidefutbol.com/2023/11/22/liverpool-at-real-risk-of-missing-out-on-key-target-fulham-ahead-of-reds/627009/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham move ahead of Man Utd in Andre race
Fulham have moved ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Fluminense midfielder Andre in the January transfer window, FootballTransfers can confirm.

CEO Alistair Mackintosh was one of many Premier League club executives who watched over the midfielder during Fluminense's victory over Boca Juniors in the final of the Copa Libertadores on November 4, where the likes of Valentin Barco and Ezequiel Fernandez were also playing.

We are told that Liverpool are not in the race for the Brazil international despite reports, while Manchester United will only move should Casemiro depart in January, though we are told that's unlikely at this stage. The Red Devils are watching over Joao Neves of Benfica, too.

Fulham have done the most legwork so far but there is anticipation from some quarters that other Premier League clubs may move for the 22-year-old in the coming weeks.

The club, who are growing in confidence that Joao Palhinha will remain at Craven Cottage past the current season despite reports that Bayern Munich maintain interest, have had talks with Andre's side, who are happy with the game-time on offer.

How much will Andre cost?
At this stage, no proposals have been sent to Fluminense. The Rio de Janeiro side now want closer to €40million, sources have informed us, but this will be dependent on the number of clubs who come in.

Andre was the subject of serious interest from Liverpool and West Ham over the summer window, but he opted to stay and help his side complete their campaign, which finishes next month.

Liverpool informed Andre's representatives that they have moved on to other targets, paving the way for rival clubs to come in. The Hammers sent in a late proposal over the summer, too, but terms could not be agreed. It's not clear whether David Moyes' side will opt to come back in.



https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/tag/exclusive-newsnow/man-utd-transfer-news-andre-fulham-jacque-talbot

[WhiteJC]

London club are now just 'days' away from signing reported Spurs target
Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola has revealed that rumoured Tottenham target Andre Trindade is now edging close to a move to Fulham.

Andre has been an indispensable part of Fluminense's midfield over the last couple of years and has emerged as one of the best young talents in Brazilian football.

The 22-year-old played a key role in the club's Copa Libertadores triumph, which has only attracted further attention to him.

Unsurprisingly, a whole host of clubs across Europe are thought to be eyeing a move for the youngster, who is allegedly valued at £30m (Globo Esporte).

This includes Tottenham, with Lance reported two weeks ago that the North London club have sent scouts to watch the midfielder in action several times over recent months.

A couple of days ago, The Sunday Mirror (19/11, page 74) claimed that Fulham had moved into pole position to sign Andre in January.

The outlet explained that the Cottagers had identified the Brazil international as their top target to replace Joao Palhinha, who is attracting interest from Bayern Munich.

Fulham are close to beating Tottenham to Andre
Nicola has now revealed that Marco Silva's men have already launched an offer for Andre, with a transfer now close to being agreed.

The journalist said on his official YouTube channel: "I want to give you exclusive information which was brought to me by an important source.

"This person called me on Saturday to tell me that an offer of 30 million euros has been passed on to Fluminense. The player (Andre) was pleased (with the offer).

"He also likes the project presented by the London club and feeling is that the hammer will be beaten in the coming days, unless a new offer appears and overtakes the one from Fulham."

Spurs Web Opinion
The fact that Marco Silva speaks the same language as him might have been a factor for Andre while the youngster's entourage might also feel that he is more likely to get regular game time at a club like Fulham than a bigger side.



https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/london-club-are-now-just-days-away-from-signing-reported-spurs-target/

[WhiteJC]

West Ham, Crystal Palace & Fulham all in picture to sign 'benchwarmer' – Transfer 'makes sense' in January
West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Fulham are all in the picture to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner in the January transfer window as he looks to secure playing time elsewhere.

That's according to SportBILD, who say the current Leipzig 'benchwarmer' wants a move ahead of the Euros next summer.

The newspaper explains that Leipzig are on course for something of a 'wild winter' as they look to restructure the squad for the second half of the season.

Midfielder Emil Forsberg has already secured a move to New York Red Bulls and Werner could follow him out of the door after falling out of favour under Marco Rose.

He's currently a 'benchwarmer' and that means a move is possible in January as he needs to get more playing time to be a part of Germany's squad for the Euros next summer.

A 'change makes sense' with that in mind and Leipzig are 'ready to talk' about a potential deal with anyone who shows an interest.

The striker also believes there is 'nothing wrong' with a return to England, despite his somewhat miserable time at Chelsea, and West Ham, Crystal Palace and Fulham are all showing interest.

One potential issue is the striker's 'high basic salary' but even that is unlikely to be as big an issue for mid-table Premier League as it would be for other potential suitors.

All three of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Fulham need a goal scorer to bolster their squads having struggled in that department this season and it seems they're now keen on Werner, even after his struggles at Stamford Bridge.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/west-ham-crystal-palace-fulham-picture-sign-benchwarmer-transfer-makes-sense-january/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham keen on player, make contact for signing – Marco Silva leading interest
Fulham are in the picture to sign Sporting's Geny Catamo, according to O Jogo.

Operating as a right wing-back and at times on the left, he's managed two goals and two assists from 13 games this season.

The 22-year-old's form hasn't gone unnoticed as Fulham are one of the teams keeping tabs on him.

The Lions signed the player from third division Portuguese side Amora in 2022 and gave him a deal until 2025. The report states Sporting own 25% of his rights while the rest is held by his former club.

According to O Jogo, Sporting have made two offers of €1.2m and €1.5m to Amora, to have full control of the Mozambique international's rights. They were unsuccessful, while the lower division side have considered accepting €3m for 75% of Catamo's rights.

For now, the negotiations have frozen after Sporting refused to meet Amora's demands, and the parties have agreed to revisit this case in 2024. Meanwhile, the player's displays have seen him draw attention from Fulham and others.

With regards to Marco Silva's side, it's said they are 'closely targeting' Catamo and even contacted Amora to try to sign him. The manager is pushed forward as leading the interest.

Fulham's approach didn't yield a positive outcome since Amora won't make a decision on the player's future and leave it in the hands of Rúben Amorim's side.

O Jogo say Sporting are 'safeguarding their interests as they could have a jackpot on their hands'.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-keen-player-make-contact-signing-belief-sale-jackpot-club/

[WhiteJC]

Internationals: Bobby's Winning Pen

Bobby De Cordova-Reid's penalty secured Jamaica a dramatic away goals victory over Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League Quarter-Finals.

After losing the First Leg 2-1 in Kingston, the Reggae Boyz were up against it when Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies opened the scoring, but two goals in four second half minutes from Shamar Nicholson restored parity.

An Ismael Kone strike soon after put the Canadians back in front in Toronto, but a late handball in the box presented Jamaica with the opportunity to make it 4-4 on aggregate, with De Cordova-Reid coolly dispatching his spot-kick.

That was the way it stayed, despite a red card for Demarai Gray in the closing stages, meaning Jamaica advance to the Nations League Semi-Finals, where they will face the United States in March.

Luc De Fougerolles was an unused substitute for Canada.

Harry Wilson grabbed an assist on Tuesday night, but Wales have had to settle for a European Championship Play-Off place after their 1-1 draw with Turkey.

The winger teed up his former Fulham teammate Neco Williams for the opener, but a controversial penalty, scored by Yusuf Yazici, earned the Group D winners a point.

Wales needed to win, and hope Croatia dropped points against Armenia, to qualify for the Euros automatically, but the Croatians won 1-0, meaning it would not have mattered what Wilson and co did in Cardiff.

They will now face Ukraine, Finland or Iceland in a one-legged Semi-Final in March, with the winners taking on either Poland or Estonia for a place in Germany.

Jay Stansfield was handed a full England Under-21 debut in their 3-0 win over Northern Ireland.

Leading the line for his country, Stansfield came close to opening the scoring at Goodison Park, drawing the first save of the game with his 21st minute snapshot.

After Tyler Morton's opener, Stansfield again went close with another first time strike – it was well hit, but sailed just over.

Stansfield was replaced by Liam Delap in the 71st minute, with Harvey Elliott bagging either side of that to secure a comprehensive victory for the Young Lions.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/november/22/internationals-bobbys-winning-pen/

[WhiteJC]

Former Chelsea ace won't join West Ham as Fulham line up prolific striker
Fulham are looking at Wolfsburg striker Jonas Wind but former Chelsea man Timo Werner will not be returning to the Premier League with The Cottagers or West Ham United.

With neither Raul Jimenez, Carlos Vinicius nor Rodrigo Muniz managing to step up consistently in the absence of Aleksandr Mitrovic, it will come as a surprise to absolutely no one to learn that Fulham are prioritising a centre-forward in the winter window.

And, after links with Serhou Guirassy, Santiago Gimenez and Gift Orban, Fulham fans can now add Jonas Wind's name to their January watchlist.

According to the London Evening Standard, Wind is 'an option'. The Denmark international is enjoying the best run of his Bundesliga career, scoring nine goals in 13 games for Wolfsburg. 

One player who appears to be out of contention, however, is Timo Werner. The oft-maligned former Chelsea forward has been linked with a return to London via Fulham and West Ham United (90Min).

No Premier League return for ex-Chelsea man Timo Werner
German publication BILD, however, believe that while a January departure from RB Leipzig is a possibility, a second spell in English football is not. Werner's eye-watering £170,000-a-week wages are likely to be another stumbling block.

Werner, a Champions League winner at Chelsea in 2021, has started only two Bundesliga games for Leipzig this term, Benjamin Sesko and the outstanding Lois Openda keeping him out of Marco Rosa's starting XI.

Fulham boss Silva, meanwhile, has made no secret of his desire to add more goalscorers to his squad, Mitrovic's absence keenly felt in West London.

"Seven players left us at the end of the season, and we lost Mitrovic too," Silva told Planet Football a couple of months ago.

"If we are to sign a striker, it needs to be the right one. It has to be someone who can have the right impact in our squad with the conditions to help us.

"This is the main thing for me."

Fulham and West Ham want a striker
West Ham are eyeing AZ Alkmaar's Vangelis Pavlidis, Bayer Leverkusen's Adam Hlozek and Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy.

The Hammers also tried to sign Yuri Alberto over the summer, though it remains to be seen whether David Moyes' side return for the one-time Brazil international.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/11/22/former-chelsea-ace-wont-join-west-ham-as-fulham-line-up-prolific-striker/

[WhiteJC]

Joao Palhinha raves about £6m Fulham player, says he's 'really competitive'
Fulham star Joao Palhinha has been raving about teammate Harrison Reed and how important he is to the team.

The Fulham squad were taking part in a Pass It On challenge on the Premier League's official website.

One of the things that's so enjoyable about the current Fulham squad is how together they are.

The lusophone group in the squad are very close, constantly appearing on each other's social media pages.

In the summer, Andreas Pereira admitted that he was doing everything he could to convince Willian to rejoin the club.

There are also several players who have been at Fulham for some time and appear to be at the forefront of building that togetherness.

Tom Cairney and Tim Ream share captaincy duties and with more than 500 appearances for the club between them, they know exactly what it means to the fans to play for the club.

Speaking about their Fulham teammates, Joao Palhinha was quick to praise his midfield partner Harrison Reed.

The Portuguese international has been linked with a move away from the club but he's shown in his performances how much he still cares about Fulham.

Images of him wheeling away towards the Fulham fans smacking the badge on his chest away to Arsenal earlier this season will live long in the memory.

Palhinha raves about Fulham teammate Reed
When asked about the £6m midfielder, Palhinha said: "The best qualities that Harrison [Reed] has is pushing for all the team inside of the pitch.

"He's a really competitive player and he push us a lot on the pitch every game."

It's been an interesting season for Harrison Reed at Craven Cottage.

After being the subject of a deadline day bid from Wolves, Reed signed a new contract alongside Palhinha at Fulham in September.

However, he's no longer a guaranteed name on Marco Silva's team sheet with Sasa Lukic and Alex Iwobi both starting alongside Palhinha at times.

Fulham aren't scoring enough goals right now and lost the midfield battle against Aston Villa before the international break.

With Palhinha suspended against Wolves on Monday, it would be a surprise if Reed wasn't back in the Fulham line-up.

He'll be hoping to do enough to convince Silva that he should be regularly starting games once again.



https://www.fulham.news/2023/11/22/joao-palhinha-raves-about-6m-fulham-player-says-hes-really-competitive/

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool 'out of race' after £30m star snubbed Anfield with PL rivals in talks
Liverpool are reportedly 'out of the race' to sign Fluminense's Brazil international Andre Trindade as Premier League rivals Fulham continue talks over a potential £30 million January deal.

It appears that something has changed at Anfield. At least, with regards to Liverpool's long-running pursuit of Andre Trindade.

Because, after scouting Brazil's rising star for the past 18 months, having their interest conformed by Fluminense's president, and submitting a £26 million bid over the summer, the Evening Standard is now reporting that Jurgen Klopp's side are 'out of the race' as things stand.

Fulham overtake Liverpool in Andre Trindade race
Now, that may have something to do with the fact that, since Andre turned down the Anfield advances in favour of staying at Fluminense and competing for Copa Libertadores glory, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo have stepped in to fill a void created by the loss of Fabinho to Saudi Arabia.

The Standard, meanwhile, have another explanation.

Liverpool, the report adds, are now prioritising defenders rather than midfielders, meaning Fulham could have a clearer run than even the most optimistic Cottagers supporter might have expected at one of South America's most exciting young talents.

Fulham's chief executive, Alistar Mackintosh, held 'face-to-face' talks over Andre last week. The £30 million-rated deep-lying enforcer is likely to be a long-term replacement for Joao Palhinha, Bayern Munich refusing to take 'no' for an answer despite the Portuguese powerhouse recently signing a new deal at Craven Cottage.

'Replacement for Joao Palhinha'
"I want to give you exclusive information which was brought to me by an important source," Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola said via his official YouTube channel on Sunday.

"This person called me on Saturday to tell me that an offer of 30 million euros has been passed on to Fluminense. The player (Andre) was pleased (with the offer). He also likes the project presented by the London club and feeling is that the hammer will be beaten in the coming days, unless a new offer appears and overtakes the one from Fulham."

"Fulham are looking for a replacement for Joao Palhinha," Nicola adds. "Their idea is to have Andre from January onwards. Manchester United is another one of several interested parties but, at the moment, (Fulham) seem to be the favourite."



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/11/22/liverpool-out-of-race-after-30m-star-snubbed-anfield-with-pl-rivals-in-talks/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham, Liverpool in contact over Andre move, ready to pay big money to sign him
Fulham and Liverpool are keen on signing 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder Andre Trindade, valued at €35 million by Fluminense.

Andre Trindade has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, and Fulham and Liverpool are now in contact to sign him. A report from Goal Brasil claims that the two clubs are ready to pay big money in order to secure his services.

The Brazilian midfielder is reportedly valued at €35 million, and it remains to be seen whether the likes of Fulham and Liverpool can secure an agreement with Fluminense for him. The 22-year-old has been a key player for the Brazilian club, and he helped them win the Copa Libertadores earlier this month.

A January move on the horizon for Andre?
The player is now expected to move on in January and the two English clubs would do well to secure his services. Fulham must sign a quality defensive midfielder as the long-term replacement for Joao Palhinha if he moves on.

The Portuguese international is reportedly a target for Bayern Munich, and they tried to sign him during the summer transfer window as well. Meanwhile, Liverpool will have to bring in a quality replacement for Fabinho, who left the club at the start of the season.

Liverpool failed to sign a defensive midfielder during the summer transfer window, and signing Andre should be a top priority for them in January. The 22-year-old could transform Liverpool's midfield, and his arrival would also allow players like Alexis Mac Allister to operate in his natural role.

Mac Allister has had to operate as a defensive midfielder since the start of the season. But he could flourish as an advanced central midfielder. The Brazilian international would not only help improve the defensive unit but also allow the creative players to operate with more freedom.

Can Fulham and Liverpool afford to sign Andre midway through the season?
The opportunity to move to clubs like Fulham and Liverpool will be an attractive proposition for the player, and he will be tempted to complete a January transfer to the Premier League. It would be a major step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at the highest level.

Both clubs have the financial resources to pay the reported €35 million price for the player, and he could prove to be a bargain for them in the long run. Andre is highly rated in Brazil, and he has a bright future ahead of him. He could develop into a top-class defensive midfielder with coaching and experience.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/11/22/fulham-liverpool-in-contact-over-andre-move-ready-to-pay-big-money-to-sign-him/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham confident of beating Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham to £30m target
Fulham are confident of signing Brazilian midfielder Andre in January, talkSPORT understands.

The Cottagers are in advanced talks with Fluminense over £30m rated Andre, who has also attracted interest from Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal.

The 22-year-old first caught the attention of some of English football's biggest clubs last summer, but Fluminense were keen to keep hold of him until the conclusion of the Copa Libertadores.

The Brazilian giants ended up beating Boca Juniors 2-1 in the final, winning the competition for the first time ever.

Andre played the whole game and claimed his first ever piece of silverware in the process.

Now, though, he could leave the club he joined as a 12-year-old in 2013.

Fulham have seen a dip in form this campaign following last season's 10th place finish.

The west London club have struggled to cope with the loss of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who left for Al Hilal over the summer. They've scored just 10 goals so far.

Andre has scored four goals and recorded three assists in 163 appearances for his current club since his senior debut in 2020.

The midfielder also has three caps for Brazil's national team. He was included in the preliminary squad for the 2022 World Cup, but made his debut in June this year, coming off the bench to replace West Ham's Lucas Paqueta against Senegal.

He has also admitted he's a fan of England's top flight.

"I follow the Premier League a lot," he told The Guardian just before his side were crowned champions of South America. "It's a very competitive league that demands a lot from players. But today my dream is to live day by day here in Fluminense.

"I don't know what will happen in the future. I have a long contract at Fluminense [which runs until the end of 2026] and I really like being here.

"It's been 10 years already so it's where I feel at home. I'm still young, only 22 years old, so there's no need for me to think too far ahead. I just need to keep doing my best, try to win this trophy and then see what happens at the end of the season."



https://talksport.com/football/1650612/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham Tipped To Accept Reduced Fee For Cottagers Star
Fulham are prepared to accept a lower sum than they agreed with Bayern Munich last summer for Joao Palhinha in the January transfer window, it has been claimed in Germany.

Palhinha was left stranded in Munich after his move failed to go through on deadline day and he returned to Fulham.

He has since signed a new contract with the Cottagers but that has not dampened Bayern Munich's willingness to try and sign him again in the winter transfer window.

The German champions do not want to pay that €65m fee they agreed with Fulham and want to do a deal for a lower sum.

And according to German broadcaster Sky Deutschland (via Fussball Transfers), Fulham are also ready to do a deal for a reduced figure as well.

Marco Silva is not keen to sell the midfielder but the club are claimed to be willing to do a deal at a certain figure.

Palhinha wants the move in January after it fell through in the summer and he was forced to return to Craven Cottage.

Bayern Munich could be confident about working out an agreement with Fulham and get the deal done in time during the winter window.



https://insidefutbol.com/2023/11/22/fulham-tipped-to-accept-reduced-fee-for-cottagers-star/627038/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham player becomes 'Plan A' for club – 'Difficult negotiation' expected with Craven Cottage side
As Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro are set to continue with their chase for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, it seems they're getting more focused on that signing now.

Globo Esporte today writes that the centre-forward is the Galo's 'Plan A' for 2024, even though it won't be easy to get him signed.

Atlético already tried to sign him on a loan back in the summer, and now they're set to go for a permanent deal with Fulham during the January transfer window.

A 'difficult negotiation' is expected because the Whites had previously demanded £8m for his transfer, and there's also the fact the player would need to take a big pay cut.

Rodrigo Muniz only has eight appearances for Fulham this season, with one goal scored. He recently had a knee injury, but that's not something of any concern, as he should be back on the pitch by December.

Despite not being Marco Silva's first choice for the attack, he's been useful as a second option, so there's a reason why Fulham are not letting him go so easily.

Let's see whether Atlético will have enough power (or money) to convince the Whites of selling.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-player-becomes-plan-club-difficult-negotiation-expected-craven-cottage-side/

[WhiteJC]

Who is Andre? The Brazil international linked to Man Utd and Fulham
Andre was very close to joining Liverpool over the summer window - and though a move never materialised, he still remains likely to be heading to the Premier League.

The Reds sent a proposal but terms could not be agreed upon over Fluminense's desire to have the midfielder stay and help them win the Copa Libertadores trophy, a feat they managed to achieve.

There has been a lot of speculation around Andre's future leading up to the January transfer window, with Manchester United and Fulham all linked, but just who is the Brazilian ace?

What position does Andre play in?
Andre is a holding midfielder who plays primarily in the No.6 role.

How good is Andre?
Andre was born in Ibirataia and he joined Fluminense's youth setup in 2013. Even though he has not played in Europe, he has received multiple call-ups to the Brazil national team. He made his club debut, coming on as a substitute in a 1-0 victory over Atletico Goianiense in the Copa do Brasil. Two years later and Andre, a pivotal member of the side, marked his 150th match for Fluminense.

He also started in the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors earlier this year, contributing to a 2–1 victory after extra time to secure the club's first title in the competition.

Standing at 5 foot 9 inches, Andre operates as a defensive midfielder with a preference for his right foot. He is deployed in front of the backline, as part of a double-pivot of a 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 formation.

He is a technical player but is known for his ability to turn over possession and cause pressure to the opponent's midfield.

Andre has good passing ability and is able to carry the ball well, even venturing as far as the third final.

He is a master of dictating tempo and pulling the strings, helping the transition from defense to attack.

What clubs are interested in Andre?
Andre has been linked to West Ham, Fulham, Man Utd, and Liverpool previously.

When does Andre's contract expire?
Andre's contract expires in 2026.

What is Andre's Instagram?
Andres' Instagram is @andre7. He has 359k followers at the time of writing.



https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/tag/newsnow-features-only/who-is-andre-man-utd-fulham-target-january-transfer-window

[WhiteJC]

#AffordableFulham – letter to the Club
At our recent game against Manchester United, Fulham fans in all parts of the ground made their feelings about the Club's ticket pricing policy abundantly clear with the raising of yellow cards in the 18th minute to highlight the unacceptable price rises in this and recent seasons.

Following the match, I wrote to the Chief Executive, Alistair Mackintosh, to request that the Club undertake a review of ticket pricing policy with the participation of the Trust. My full email is published below.

At the time of writing we have had no commitment from the Club to undertake the review we requested. I have therefore written again, asking the Club to make an open reply so that Trust members and other fans can hear direct from the Club what their views and position are.

In the meantime, the #AffordableFulham campaign will continue both through social media and visibly at upcoming matches, and we will keep you updated with these.

Thank you for your continued support of the Trust.

Simon Duke
Chair

    Alistair

    The recent statement made by the Trust on ticket pricing, the visible support from FST members, numerous other fans and social media groups coupled with Saturday's visible expression of disappointment at the Club's pricing policy should leave you in no doubt there is an issue with the current pricing structure. The television and written media have also picked up on the feelings of fans, running several articles of which I am sure you are aware. Historically the Club may have been able to ride out such discontent but the strength of feeling this time is such that the Trust do not see it going away unless something can be done.

    Commenting on the recent signing by Marco Silva of a new contract, the Chairman said "This is a wonderful day for Fulham Football Club. Specifically, it's a fantastic moment for Fulham supporters, who deserve our very best efforts to invest in the present and future of the Club, both within and around the game." It is very good news for Fulham supporters but sadly tarnished by those who are being priced out of attending games and hence diluting our sustainable fan base for the future.

    Our expressions of concern on Saturday, which we believe were polite and respectful, have drawn support much wider than Fulham fans. The Trust also acknowledge that this is not just a Fulham issue but an issue for much of the Premier League. Fulham fans have however been hit harder than most.

    Over the last few seasons, ticket pricing has been a constant subject for discussion at our monthly meeting with the Club. Whilst we hope we have been listened to, it feels like our views have largely been ignored and the divide between the fans and Club on this matter grows ever wider. It has come to the point where we feel the Club must listen more and try to come up with and clearly explain a policy for ticket sales, affordable to all.

    The ask of the Trust is simple. We would like the Club to commit to a full review of their pricing policy/structure to cover:-

        Season ticket pricing;
        Match day ticket pricing;
        Concessions;
        Membership packages;
        Loyalty points.


    We would ask that such review should include a small representation from the Trust. Price setting is solely down to the Club, we understand that. The Trust however know the wider fan base and their views, we have a wealth of detail on how pricing has moved over recent seasons and will have ideas that might help the Club address fan concerns. Being party to such discussions would also allow us to explain to fans the broad principles of the pricing structure, something which to date the Club appear reluctant to do. Changes to the pricing structure for match tickets this season would be welcome but the proposed review should mainly be looking towards next season.

    I have not included here numerous pictures from Saturday which are on social/news media and from which you will no doubt have seen the considerable support for our walk and yellow card protest. I was going to include the following link to "X" picked up by a number of media and social media outlets. Unfortunately it has now been taken down in response to a report by the copyright owner. I'm sure you are aware of it:-

    https://x.com/oscarwdubs/status/1720849669054403001?s=20

    If we are correct, Manchester United tickets sold out almost entirely to members without going on general sale. The video shows a home section as United scored. There is no doubt the majority of supporters behind the goal are not Fulham fans. These are not the type of fans which will help build a sustainable fan base moving forward.

    In his pre-match media comments Marco said he did not want this issue to affect the players. Please be assured, neither do fans.  We all recognise the ongoing and considerable support from the owners and we also understand the need to move the Club towards financial self-sufficiency but this cannot be done by raising prices alone. The issue we have is with the Club and what we feel is a misguided ticketing policy. We therefore ask that you consider and commit to our request so we can get the majority of our members and the wider fan base back onside as regards ticket prices.

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Regards

    Simon Duke
    Chair
    Fulham Supporters' Trust



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2023/11/affordablefulham-letter-to-the-club/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham keen to sign forward in January dubbed 'the best striker in the league' this season
Fulham now reportedly want to sign Danish international striker Jonas Wind in the upcoming January transfer window.

A report from the Evening Standard shares more details about Fulham's plans for the winter window.

There are a few key areas in the squad that Marco Silva will be desperate for reinforcements in.

Right now, it appears as though Fulham are the favourites to sign midfielder and Brazilian international Andre.

There will still be scepticism among fans about such a high-profile player arriving at the Cottage until they see him in a Fulham shirt.

However, the prospect of Andre lining up alongside Joao Palhinha – assuming he doesn't join Bayern Munich – is tantalising right now.

The main position Fulham want to improve in January is up front and Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind is the latest player to be linked with a move.

The 24-year-old is in fine form right now, having scored eight goals in his first 11 Bundesliga appearances this season.

He's an interesting player, with FBRef suggesting his play style is most similar to Brentford's Ivan Toney, and can put in a shift defensively.

Whether he's the ideal man to fill the void left by Aleksandar Mitrovic's departure is another matter.

Fulham want Wolfsburg striker Wind
The report from the Evening Standard admits that Wind is on the list of several Premier League clubs right now.

He's also got six goal contributions in his last eight international appearances although Fulham are reportedly still not sure if they want to sign a striker this winter.

Wind has earned some high praise this season, with manager Niko Kovac saying: "He's the number one striker for us at the moment and probably in the league too.

"He's hitting everything right now and he's in a really good mood. You could see that in the preparation. He's physically fit, very motivated and a leader."

For Kovac to suggest that Wind is ahead of the likes of Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy – who has also been linked with Fulham – is a big call.

The question now is whether Fulham want to sign Wind desperately enough to pay what's likely to be a premium in January.

If they've already set aside funds to sign Andre, it will be interesting to see how much the Khans are willing to invest to stave off the fears of relegation.

The last thing they need is to try and oversee Fulham escaping the Championship for the fourth time in their tenure.



https://www.fulham.news/2023/11/22/fulham-keen-to-sign-forward-in-january-dubbed-the-best-striker-in-the-league-this-season/

[WhiteJC]

Door opens wide for West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace to snatch former Chelsea striker
West Ham, Crystal Palace and Fulham are all keen on signing former Chelsea man Timo Werner in January, according to reports.

Werner is struggling for game time at RB Leipzig and is believed to be interested in a move in January to ensure a spot at the Euros next summer.

The 27-year-old returned to Germany in 2022 after two years at Stamford Bridge. He endured a difficult spell in the English top division, struggling in front of goal. Werner made 89 appearances for the Blues, netting 23 goals in those outings and received criticism from fans for his lack of goalscoring threat.

Werner netted 16 goals in 40 appearances last term. So far this season, the German has managed just 203 minutes in the Bundesliga across eight appearances and has found the back of the net twice in those outings.

According to German media, Leipzig are set for a "wild winter" as they attempt to restructure their squad for the second half of the season.

Midfielder Emil Fosberg has already secured a move to New York Red Bulls and Werner could be the next player on the move after falling out of favour under Marco Rose.

Werner is aware of the fact that he needs to up his game time in order to be a part of Germany's squad for the Euros next summer and Leipzig are reportedly open to discussions over a potential deal with anyone who shows an interest.

Werner has already been capped 57 times for Germany and will be hoping to up those numbers next summer as his country host the tournament. He has not featured for the national side since March of 2023 and was left out of the squad for their most recent round of international friendlies.

West Ham, Crystal Palace and Fulham ready to pounce
As relayed by SportWitness, West Ham, Palace and Fulham are all in the picture for his signature. Werner is reportedly not opposed to a return to England despite a difficult stint the first time around.

All three are in need of a goalscoring threat to bolster their squads and are believed to be keen on Werner. A new frontman has rocketed up the Hammers' priority list after injuries to both Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio which could keep them out of action for some time.

One potential roadblock to a move could be Werner's high salary, although for a Premier League side may not prove as much of a difficulty as some others.

West Ham also offloaded Declan Rice in the summer for a huge fee and he was presumably one of the bigger earners at the London Stadium, which could open the door for Werner's arrival.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/door-opens-wide-for-west-ham-fulham-crystal-palace-snatch-former-chelsea-striker

[WhiteJC]

Why Chelsea are not considering Craven Cottage ground-share with west London neighbours Fulham as uncertainty over Stamford Bridge future drags on - explained

Chelsea are not considering a Craven Cottage ground-share with Fulham as uncertainty over Stamford Bridge future drags on.

    Chelsea will not move to Craven Cottage
    Want to play in a stadium with more capacity
    Earls Court Exhibition Centre not an option

WHAT HAPPENED?

Amid considerations for a temporary stadium to play in during Stamford Bridge's potential rebuild, Chelsea have dismissed Craven Cottage as an option, according to a report in The Athletic. The nearby Fulham ground, with a projected capacity of 29,600, is considered too small and lacking in corporate amenities. Chelsea, if they are to relocate, are looking for a larger stadium than Stamford Bridge which has a capacity of just over 40,000.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Potential alternatives like Twickenham and West Ham's London Stadium face resident and supporter opposition, which rule them out. Wembley gains traction due to precedent and size flexibility. Even if Brent Council permits a maximum of 62,000 fans, the number mentioned in the final agreement when Tottenham were tenants in 2017-18 and 2018-19, it would suffice Chelsea's needs.

DID YOU KNOW?

However, Todd Boehly and Clearlake emphasise feasibility and a total rebuild of Stamford Bridge is contingent on the team's evaluation of site possibilities, timeframe and costs. Whereas, a stand-by-stand remodeling also remains a compromise option. The acquisition of Stoll Mansions, a 1.2-acre site adjacent to Bridge which houses military veterans, provides flexibility for future redevelopment. Chelsea aims to possess the land by the end of 2025, potentially utilizing it for club offices, retail or hospitality facilities, which would enhance capacity within the stadium.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

There are three potential options that are available to Chelsea and among them acquiring a 40-acre plot near Brompton Cemetery might be an attractive option, offering substantial space for redevelopment. However, the path is fraught with difficulties as Hammersmith and Fulham Council remains against the idea of building a football stadium in that location which housed the Earls Court Exhibition Centre until 2014. Moreover, it is reported that Chelsea are yet to enter into any fresh negotiations with Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) as they want to keep all options on the table after the ECDC made it explicitly clear back in March that there is no scope for a "football stadium in the Earls Court masterplan".



https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-craven-cottage-fulham-stamford-bridge-future/blt52e93c8bf03aec24#cs46ca3c6e68156dd8