Friday Fulham Stuff - 19/01/24...

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Fulham are monitoring developments of Chelsea's £50m-rated striker Armando Broja... with Premier League rivals Wolves and West Ham also interested in signing Albanian forward

    Fulham are monitoring the situation of Chelsea striker Armando Broja
    The £50m-rated forward has attracted interest from multiple top-flight teams

Fulham are among the clubs monitoring developments with Armando Broja who Chelsea value at close to £50million.

Mail Sport reported Fulham's approach for Broja in December with Wolves and West Ham still in the frame.

It had been believed that Chelsea would only allow Broja to leave Stamford Bridge this month if they sign a new forward, but that may not be the case if a club gets close to meeting their asking price.

The price tag will make it difficult for current suitors though.

Broja has made 17 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions so far this campaign, scoring twice.


Albanian striker Armando Broja could be on his way out of west London during the window
 

Marco Silva's Fulham are among the clubs monitoring developments with Broja who Chelsea value at close to £50m

The 22-year-old has largely been used as a substitute behind first choice forward Nicolas Jackson, following his return to fitness in September after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury

Broja could drop further down the pecking order should Chelsea added a forward in the window this month.

The forward had previously impressed on loan at Southampton during the 2021-22 season, netting nine goals in 38 matches for the Saints.

Broja celebrated wildly after scoring against Preston, with Pochettino stating after the game: 'It was really important for him.'

'I need to be honest, he needs to use this type of game to score and to feel the net and to improve. Improve not only in his fitness, but his body language also. He needs to step up and to go forward and to move. He needs to be more positive.

'The potential is amazing. We're talking about one of the young strikers in England and in Europe with the most potential. But the problem now is he needs to push himself, and we're going to try to help him to realise that never it is enough.


Premier League rivals Wolves and West Ham are also interested in signing the striker
'He was nearly one year away (injured) and of course now he needs time. It's not easy for him to perform and to be at the level we expect. Our expectation is massive and we really believe in him. We're going to push him to improve every day.

'I said to him, 'Smile'. Always we joke about how he needs to smile, to laugh, to put inside himself more good energy and be more happy, a happy boy.'



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12976307/Fulham-monitoring-developments-Chelseas-50m-rated-striker-Armando-Broja-Premier-League-rivals-Wolves-West-Ham-interested-signing-Albanian-forward.html

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EXCLUSIVE: Fulham return to Fluminense midfielder Andre over January move
Fulham have made a sensational return to Andre after seemingly cutting all ties to the Fluminense midfielder earlier this month, FootballTransfers can exclusively reveal.

Though the club indicated a shift in focus, we are told that the Cottagers have recently reopened discussions with the 22-year-old.

Initially, Fulham communicated to both Andre and his current club, Fluminense, that they were exploring other options in the transfer market, even though progress had been made between them and the Brazil international.

Sources close to the matter have disclosed that Fulham's second approach to Andre has yielded positive talks, keeping alive the prospect of a move in the ongoing January transfer window.

Our sources affirm that discussions between the player and the club have progressed well, and personal terms are not expected to be a problem. It's thought that the ball is now in Fulham's court to make a concrete offer.

FootballTransfers previously reported in January that Andre engaged in discussions with Fulham manager Marco Silva, and was encouraged by the project on offer.. Alistair Mackintosh, the club's CEO, also played a role in the negotiations, holding talks with Fluminense during his visit to Brazil following the 2023 Copa Libertadores final.

Manchester United have also been linked with Andre but their interest appears to have diminished following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's takeover.

Who are Fulham's other targets?
In addition to their pursuit of Andre, Fulham are actively seeking reinforcement in the striker position. While Albert Gudmundsson of Genoa is a highly regarded option, the club may look to wait until the summer transfer window. Gudmundsson, aged 26, boasts an impressive record of 10 goals in 19 matches across all competitions this season and offers versatility across the frontline.

Our Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) algorithm ranks Gudmundsson's market value at €8.1 million., while his deal in Italy ends in 2027.



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

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Fulham want Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah on loan but have stiff competition
Fulham are interested in signing Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah on loan this month, although they are not the only interested party, with Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Roma all tracking the centre-back.

The 24-year-old has not played all season due to a hamstring injury, but is expected to be fit and available again this month.

His chances of getting back into the Chelsea first team do not look great, though, with the likes of Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile ahead of him in the pecking order, as are Levi Colwill, who has been operating at left-back and the injured Wesley Fofana.

Chelsea are also looking to raise funds to balance the books after their incredible level of spending over the last 18 months, while they also want to boost their transfer budget to sign a striker.

Selling homegrown talent is the best way to help them with the Premier League's financial regulations, so Chalobah is likely to be moving on either this month or in the summer.

The Daily Mail report that Fulham are keen to take the defender on loan, with Bayern Munich, Tottenham and Roma also keeping an eye on Chalobah.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino responded to claims earlier this season that he had frozen out Chalobah, insisting that he remained part of his plans.

'Trevoh Chalobah is in my plans, no one else is going to make decisions for me,' said Pochettino. 'I have enough knowledge to be involved in a decision. Everyone in the squad is part of my plans.'

Fulham have also been credited with an interest in Chelsea striker Armando Broja, with Wolves keen on the Albania international as well.

The 22-year-old has scored just two goals in 26 Premier League appearances for Chelsea but the Blues have slapped a £50m price tag on him, which may well make a January move unlikely.



https://metro.co.uk/2024/01/18/fulham-want-chelsea-defender-loan-competition-huge-clubs-20133183/?ito=newsnow-feed

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Fulham U21s 2-1 AS Monaco II

Fulham Under-21s have topped their group in the Premier League International Cup after beating AS Monaco 2-1 on Wednesday evening.

The Young Whites' continued domination in the tournament thus far came through once again with Adrion Pajaziti and Kristian Sekularac giving us the lead at half-time, before the away side pulled one back after a resurging second-half but didn't do enough to overcome a Fulham side who have been excellent during this international tournament.

With temperatures falling to below freezing at Motspur Park, Callum McFarlane got us under way and possession was dominated early by the young Whites, however it was Monaco who created the chances with their brief spells on the ball.

Their best chance came from a corner, which found its way through bodies to Lucas Michal but he blazed his shot well over the crossbar.

In the 14th minute, Fulham had their first chance of the game, with a cross whipped in from the left towards McFarlane, who climbed highest to head a chance which unfortunately fell straight to Monaco 'keeper Yann Lienard.

Fulham's domination came to fruition when Adrion Pajaziti struck it home in the 20th minute after it was nicely worked in the Monaco box, with McFarlance laying it off nicely opening up the chance for our number six to tuck it into the bottom corner of the net.

There wasn't much of a response from the French side, but Romaric Etonde did work himself a chance but his shot didn't trouble Alex Borto at the near post.

Just moments later, a big call was made from the referee after consulting with the linesman to give a free-kick right on the edge of Monaco's box, after it appeared to his teammates that Kristian Šekularac was fouled inside the penalty area.

It was another chance for AS Monaco later on, this time for their number nine, Enzo Baglieri, who thumped one towards goal, but Borto pulled out a strong save to push it out for a corner.

Fulham's second goal of the night came in the 34th minute of play through Kristian Šekularac who much like Adrion earlier on, was able to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net, this time to Lienard's right, after a poor clearance from Mayssam Benama went straight to the feet of Šekularac.

Early into the second-half and Callum McFarlane almost increased our lead when a free-kick swung in from the right was headed down towards goal and looked destined for the back of net but Lienard got down to it quickly.

AS Monaco responded well coming into the final 45 minutes and should have drawn a goal back via Romaric Etonde who attempted to beat Borto at the near post but his shot went wide.

In the 68th minute, Etonde got his goal when he weaved himself in between the young Whites' defence before firing the ball past Borto to cut their deficit in half.

Monaco's resurgence continued, with another chance falling to the away side. Nazim Babai crossed a ball into the area, which wasn't cleared properly away by Idris Odutayo, giving the full-back another chance to whip the ball in but Baglieri's header was straight at Borto.

The French side had an excellent chance towards the end of the game when Caelan Avenell's clearance came off the legs of Valentin Decarpentrie, which set through a chance for Monaco but they couldn't capitalise on the opportunity with Etonde's tame effort comfortably collected by our man between the sticks.

The win means that Fulham Under-21s will continue their journey in the Premier League International Cup after finishing top of their group, heading into the Quarter-Finals of the competition.
Fulham U21: Borto, Williams, Araujo, Odutayo, Okkas, Pajaziti (Quashie 75'), Sekularac, Donnell, McFarlane (Avenall 62'), Lanquedoc, Works

Subs: McNally, Avenall, Tabares, Quashie, Picotto, O'Neill



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/january/17/Fulham-U21s-2-1-AS-Monaco-II/

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Fulham boss puzzled by VAR's lack of impact in Chelsea defeat
Fulham head coach Marco Silva was left stunned that VAR did not intervene to send off Malo Gusto in Chelsea's 1-0 derby win on Saturday.

Referee Anthony Taylor only booked the French full-back for a late tackle on Willian.

Cole Palmer's penalty on the stroke of half-time inflicted a fifth defeat in eight matches in all competitions.

"The referee started the game in the way he normally likes to ref – letting the game go and I believe that a derby should be that way," said Silva.

"But before that we have to talk about the red card – it is difficult to understand how things are not consistent at this level.

"Ten times so far this season it has been a red card (foul) but not this time. It is a dangerous tackle."

Asked if he had spoken to Taylor about his decision, Silva replied: "Just the fourth official.

"I don't want to say what he said to me – he has the same opinion as myself – but that was for VAR, it is a clear VAR decision, it doesn't matter was the opinion of the fourth official is.

"It is difficult to take and frustrating for us. Chelsea started better than us but after the first 15 minutes we started to balance the game a bit more. They had their moments and we had our moments.

"The players gave everything – they fought until the end. It was a big, big effort from then after the Liverpool match, which was so intense for us."

Fulham have no fixture this weekend before they host Liverpool in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.

The west Londoners will need to overturn a 2-1 deficit.

Tickets for the return at Craven Cottage have sold out.



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/fulham-boss-puzzled-by-vars-lack-of-impact-in-chelsea-defeat/

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Wolves, Fulham and West Ham told staggering transfer price for 8-goal Chelsea star
Latest Wolves transfer news as Chelsea name their asking price for one of their targets.

Wolves will have to pay a club record fee if they want to sign Chelsea striker Armando Broja, according to a report.

Gary O'Neil and the Wolves transfer committee are on the search for a striker this month, and yesterday saw Broja's name pop up. The Spanish striker is available for transfer, and his departure from Stamford Bridge is not dependent on Mauricio Pochettino getting his own number nine this month.

Wolves are said to be in competition with Europa Conference League winners West Ham and Premier League rivals Fulham for Broja. All three clubs however may be priced out of a move after The Telegraph said that Chelsea's asking price for Broja is £50m.

In the Telegraph's report, Chelsea have looked to the £72m that Manchester United paid for Ramus Hojlund and they believe that Broja should command a sizeable fee. Before joining United, Hojlund had scored 27 goals in his club career, and ten of those came at Atalanta. To date, Broja has 23 career goals including loan spells at Vitesse and Southampton, and because he is under contract until 2028, they believe that fee is merited.

Broja's rumoured transfer fee would make him the most costliest player in the clubs history if they were to go through with it. The £42.2m that Wolves paid Sporting CP for Matheus Nunes in 2022 is their current club record fee, however they did make a profit of nearly £11m on him.

In comparison to Wolves' Broja rivals Fulham's most expensive signing in their history is Jean Michael Seri and they paid a reported £27m back in 2018 whilst West Ham paid £45m for forward Sebastian Haller.

Broja has scored two goals in 17 games for Chelsea this season having made just seven starts and only one of his goals have come in the Premier League. He has eight goals and three assists in 58 appearances in the English top-flight. His only other experience of senior level football was at Viesse where he netted 11 goals in 34 games in the Eredivisie.



https://www.birminghamworld.uk/sport/football/armando-broja-chelsea-wolves-fulham-west-ham-4482908

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Fulham and Andre hold 'positive dicussions'
Fulham have reignited their interest in Fluminense midfielder Andre and remain hopeful of signing the Brazilian international by the end of the month, according to reports this morning.

The 22 year-old midfielder, who starred as his side won the Copa Liberatores and reached the final of the Club World Cup last year, held 'positive discussions' with the Premier League side in the past few days. Fluminense were seeking £30m for their star player following the end of the Brazilian domestic season and, although Fulham have yet to make a formal offer, they have previously held prolonged talks with Fluminese. Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh met the Brazilian club's directors in person, but it is believed the Whites' preferred approach was a structured deal with an initial fee of around £20m.

Andre, who has won four senior caps for his country, is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in south America and had been promised a move in January by his club's president after making 170 appearances for Fluminense, whom he joined aged twelve, since breaking into the first-team four years ago. He made his international debut in a 4-2 friendly defeat by Senegal last June.

Reports that the talented midfielder was perceived solely as a replacement for Joao Palhinha are wide of the mark. Marco Silva is understood to consider Andre as the perfect partner for the Portuguese international, who looks set to stay at Craven Cottage after Bayern Munich rowed back from a planned January move, and Fulham are confident that they have agreed personal terms with Andre's representatives.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/fulham-and-andre-hold-positive-dicussions/

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Kit Symons shares three Fulham players who were treated 'really, really badly' before he took charge
Kit Symons was handed the job as Fulham manager after a historically poor start to the campaign in the Championship under Felix Magath.

Far from the days of Marco Silva and the Premier League, Fulham were in contention to suffer back-to-back relegations after a horrendous top-flight campaign in 2013/14.

Speaking on the Fulhamish Podcast, Kit Symons shared some of the details from his time in charge at Craven Cottage.

A flurry of different managers couldn't save Fulham back in 2014 with Felix Magath the man in charge on that fateful day at the Bet365 Stadium when the club's fate was sealed.

The German stayed in charge over the summer but the horror stories that have come out of the club since may explain why he lasted just seven league games in the second tier.

Fulham turned to Kit Symons to take over as manager, promoting him from his role with the Under-21s.

He had a huge squad to deal with and while he couldn't guide the Whites to promotion during his time at the club, it can't be underestimated what a mess Fulham was when he first started.

Symons had to do plenty of unfashionable work behind the scenes that helped Slavisa Jokanovic thrive as his successor.

One job Symons immediately had to do was re-integrate three key players into the squad.

Magath had chosen to play an incredibly young team at the start of that season, but Symons recognised that experience was needed to survive in the Championship.

Symons shares story of the Three Amigos while Fulham manager
Speaking about taking over at the club and a trio of players who had previously been frozen out, Symons said: "As I said, there was Bryan [Ruiz], Fernando [Amorebieta] and Hugo [Rodallega] had been treated really, really badly.

"I don't know why, but for whatever reason why weren't allowed to train with the first-team squad, which was a massive first-team squad of about 30 players.

"Those three were put on the side of the pitch playing head tennis every day alongside the first team.

"I mean, I think they would have rathered it, it would have been better if they were sent over to me taking the Under-21s, they would have got some proper training.

"So, they weren't happy by the way they were treated by the club as they saw it and I don't blame them as it was wrong."

All three players Symons mentions had a mixed time at Fulham but put a shift in during his time as manager.

Ruiz managed more than a century of appearances for the Whites and will always be one of the classiest operators to ever play in the Championship.

Rodallega nearly matched his tally of appearances and scored some important goals during his time with the club as he competed for minutes with Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele.

However, Amorebieta will always be remembered for his tendency to pick up a booking – and the occasional red card – as well as being penalised for taking foul throws more than any other player I've seen in professional football.

The Spanish-speaking trio – known to Symons as the Three Amigos – all made their unique impact at Craven Cottage.

During a very tough period for the club, the Welshman did a fine job laying the foundations for the success enjoyed under Jokanovic.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/01/18/kit-symons-shares-three-fulham-players-who-were-treated-really-really-badly-before-he-took-charge/

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Fulham watch Bennacer
Fulham's scouts have run the rule over AC Milan midfielder Ismaël Bennacer at the African Cup of Nations this week, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Algerian defensive midfielder has made just five Serie A appearances for Milan this summer and could be open to a move that would deliver more regular football. The 26 year-old spent two seasons with Arsenal at the start of his career but didn't feature in a senior game for the Gunners, moving to Empoli after a successful spell at Ligue 2 outfit Tours. Bennacer starred as Empoli won the Serie B title and established himself as one of the top holding midfielders on the continent despite their relegation the following year.

He joined Milan in 2019, helping them finish second the following season and lift the Scudetto in 2022. Knee surgery restricted his appearances in 2022/23, but he is now fully fit and played eighty minutes of Algeria's 1-1 draw with Angola on Monday. Bennacer has won 46 caps for his country and was voted player of the tournament in the last African Cup of Nations as Algeria beat Senegal in the final to win their first title in 29 years. The midfielder set up the winning goal for Baghdad Bounedjah.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/fulham-watch-bennacer/

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Fulham rival West Ham United in Morgan Whittaker pursuit

Fulham will reportedly compete with fellow London club West Ham United to sign 23-year-old English winger Morgan Whittaker from Plymouth Argyle.
According to a report by Football Insider, Morgan Whittaker is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are in the market for a wide attacker, with the Plymouth Argyle attacker emerging as a target. The 23-year-old winger is also a target for other London clubs like West Ham United.

Who is Morgan Whittaker?
Morgan Whittaker has come leaps and bounds since joining Plymouth Argyle. A native of Derby, he is a graduate of the Derby County youth division but has risen in prominence at his current club. Plymouth Argyle initially signed the English winger on loan in July 2022, with the player spending six months at Home Park.

Plymouth Argyle completed a permanent move in the summer transfer window, shelling out a club-record fee to secure his services. The 23-year-old has been a rare bright spot for a team around the relegation zone. Whittaker has contributed to 21 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions, finding the back of the net 15 times while providing six assists.

Whittaker's 14 strikes in the EFL Championship leaves him second in the race to win the division's Golden Boot. Meanwhile, his progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of many Premier League clubs. Fulham and West Ham United are keen on signing him.

Premier League Calling?
Fulham will look to bolster the offensive unit this year, although signing a striker is the club's priority, with Armando Broja recently emerging as a target. But as the Cottagers look to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic's goals, signing a productive winger like Morgan Whittaker will make sense.

As for West Ham, recent reports have linked them with another Championship-based winger, Jack Clarke. But Whittaker is also a viable target for the East London club. The 23-year-old English winger can take the goalscoring burden off Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.

Meanwhile, Fulham and West Ham United face stiff competition from fellow London club Brentford for the 23-year-old English winger. But Plymouth Argyle will likely fight hard to keep hold of Morgan Whittaker even though his stock continues to rise.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/01/18/fulham-rival-west-ham-united-in-morgan-whittaker-pursuit/

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Report: Chalobah in Fulham Sights for Defensive Boost
Fulham's Strategic Move for Chelsea's Chalobah Amid Exit Fears

In a dynamic twist to the transfer saga, Fulham, as reported by Fraser Gillan in TeamTalk, is now in the fray for Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah. Their heightened interest comes amidst fears of losing Tosin Adarabioyo, with the Cottagers facing stiff competition from Nottingham Forest, Napoli, and Roma.

Urgent Defensive Reinforcements at Craven Cottage
Fulham's urgency in securing Chalobah's services isn't just a routine squad bolstering. It's a strategic move driven by the looming possibility of Tosin Adarabioyo's departure. With his contract expiring in the summer and notable clubs like Monaco and Bayern Munich showing interest, Fulham is proactively looking to fill a potential void in their defensive lineup.

Chalobah, known for his versatility and long-term association with Chelsea, has emerged as a prime target for Marco Silva's side. His potential arrival at Craven Cottage could also see the rekindling of the Chalobah connection at Fulham, following in the footsteps of his brother, Nathaniel.

The Battle for Chalobah's Signature
While Fulham's interest is strong, they are not alone in this pursuit. Chalobah has garnered significant attention from Italy, with both Napoli and Roma keen on acquiring the ex-England U21 international. Nottingham Forest's previous £25m bid, which was accepted but not finalized, sets a benchmark for any potential deal.

Fulham, however, seems undeterred. They are aware that matching Forest's bid might be necessary to persuade Chelsea. The London club's relationship with Chalobah and his circle, stemming from familial ties and their shared Chelsea connection, could give them an edge in negotiations.

Premier League Allure and Mourinho's Exit Impact
Chalobah's preference to stay in the Premier League could work in Fulham's favor. The uncertainty caused by Jose Mourinho's departure from Roma might also influence his decision, cooling off interest from the Italian club.

Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble for Fulham
Fulham's move for Chalobah is a calculated risk, aimed at pre-empting the potential loss of a key defender while also strengthening their squad. Their proactive approach, willingness to invest, and the personal connections involved make this pursuit an intriguing subplot in the January transfer window.

In the intricate chessboard of football transfers, Fulham's play for Chalobah is a reflection of their aspirations and a testament to the ever-evolving dynamics of the game.



https://eplindex.com/102618/report-chalobah-in-fulham-sights-for-defensive-boost.html

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Fulham set to step up interest in Trevoh Chalobah

Fulham have decided to push harder for the services of Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah amidst interest from Crystal Palace.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Fulham are all set to step up their interest in the services of Trevoh Chalobah. The Cottagers want to bolster their defence in the ongoing window, and they feel the 24-year-old Chelsea utility man could be of great help to them.

Trevoh Chalobah Looking For a New Adventure
Chalobah has been at Chelsea since his childhood days, and he came up the ranks at some pace. The former England youth international made it to their first team in the summer of 2021. And in the initial days, he got his share of opportunities.

The 24-year-old has slowly gone down the pecking order at the West London club. And as of now, he is surplus to requirements. Despite being capable enough to play anywhere in defence, there seems to be no place for Chalobah in Mauricio Pochettino's plans.

The Blues were ready to sanction his departure in the summer, and they had even accepted a £25 million bid by Nottingham Forest. But, unfortunately, that move never reached its conclusion. However, the Blues are still ready to sanction his sale, and Fulham are interested in his services. But, they will have to fork out £25 million in order to get his signatures.

Trevoh Chalobah in Demand
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are one of the clubs interested in the 24-year-old. The Eagles are fighting for survival, and they need defensive reinforcement. They feel the English utility man can help them, not just in the short term but in the long term as well.

While there are other clubs from across Europe keen on signing the Chelsea centre-back, Fulham are looking to win the race for his services by launching a bid before the end of the ongoing transfer window. The Cottagers are quite serious about their pursuit because of the uncertainty around Tosin Adarabioyo's future.

The 26-year-old centre-back's contract runs out in the summer, and he is wanted by numerous top clubs across Europe. The Cottagers fear that they might not be able to convince him to pen down a new deal given the kind of clubs that are after him.

As a result, Fulham want to ensure they have enough in their tanks to cope with his absence. They have started making moves as they look to land the 24-year-old Chelsea utility man this month.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/01/18/fulham-set-to-step-up-interest-in-trevoh-chalobah/

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Get Involved In Green Football Weekend!

Fulham FC is calling on fans to get involved in Green Football Weekend, the world's biggest football campaign to tackle climate change, which culminates on the weekend of 2nd-5th February.
 
Today scoring opens for the Green Football Cup, where it is not the players but fans that will decide the winner by taking climate-friendly action. To get involved, download the free online Green Football Weekend Veggie Cookbook at greenfootballweekend.com and choose from over 70 delicious, vegetable-based dishes provided by players, famous fans, club nutritionists and chefs. Why not try Bobby De Cordova-Reid's Bean and Chilli Tacos to score a green goal for Fulham?

Through cooking a tasty vegetable-based recipe and scoring the goal at greenfootballweekend.com, not only will you push Fulham up the Green Football Cup league table, you will also get the chance to win great prizes, including behind-the scenes experiences at Sky Sports.
 
For more information on the campaign, including other ways to score green goals for Fulham, visit greenfootballweekend.com.
 
Did you know?
The whole food production process of farm-to-plate totals 26% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. By replacing meat with vegetarian sources of protein (nuts, seeds, beans and lentils, for example), we can reduce our carbon footprint and other greenhouse gas emissions:

    Eating a veggie diet means x2.5 less carbon emissions than a meat diet.
    Eating vegetarian for a year saves emissions equivalent to taking a small car off the road for 6 months.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/january/18/get-involved-in-green-football-weekend-/

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£12m man close to comeback, Joe Willock update and fresh worry ahead of Fulham trip
Newcastle United's injury crisis reached a new low amid fears Joelinton faces season-ending surgery, but there could be some relief coming Eddie Howe's way over the next fortnight.

Jacob Murphy was back in light training last week and was described as "close" to returning by Eddie Howe during his pre-Man City press conference. With our next game (27th January) an FA Cup trip to Fulham, two weeks on from Howe's comments, it's hoped we will resume full contact training over the break.

It's unclear when Callum Wilson will return – there's an outside chance he makes our next league game at Aston Villa (30th January) – but there's been positive signs from Joe Willock (Achilles) and Matt Targett (hamstring) over the past few days, with the former posting an "on the way back" message on social media as he and the left-back were filmed back in the gym (see video below).

One concern is Bruno Guimaraes, who felt tightness in his hamstring during Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Man City. He was almost taken off and was visibly struggling to sprint during the second half of last weekend's game.

Thankfully, the Brazilian will have had two weeks recovery time between the City defeat and next Saturday's trip to Fulham, but Howe will be reluctant to take any risks now he is one of just THREE midfielders available for selection.



https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/01/18/12m-man-close-to-comeback-joe-willock-update-and-fresh-worry-ahead-of-fulham-trip/

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Fulham rival Newcastle United in Alessio Romagnoli chase

Fulham will reportedly compete with Newcastle United to sign 29-year-old Italian defender Alessio Romagnoli from Lazio.
According to a report by Italian outlet Quotidiano Sportivo, Alessio Romagnoli is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are in the market for a centre-back as they search for a long-term replacement for Tosin Adarabioyo. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Lazio defender is also a target for Newcastle United.

The Alessio Romagnoli Story
Alessio Romagnoli has resurrected his stuttering career since joining Lazio from AC Milan in July 2022. A graduate of the AS Roma youth division, the Italian international rose to prominence during his stint with the Giallorossi. But his stock soared during his seven-year spell with AC Milan.

The 29-year-old served AC Milan as the club captain in his last few years at San Siro and won the Serie A title there. But his stock fell after Fikayo Tomori arrived from Chelsea. So, Romagnoli left AC Milan as a free agent in July 2022 and has featured regularly thus far. He has made 19 appearances thus far this season, chipping in with one assist.

The former Serie A-winning defender's progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of many Premier League clubs. Recent reports linked Alessio Romagnoli with Newcastle United. But he is also a target for West London club Fulham.

Romagnoli in Demand in England
Newcastle United's interest in Romagnoli stems from the lack of backup options in Eddie Howe's squad. In addition, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are on the wrong side of 30, thus necessitating the need for another centre-back. The Lazio defender has thus emerged as a viable target for Newcastle United.

As for Fulham, the Cottagers are sweating over the long-term future of Tosin Adarabioyo. The 26-year-old will likely leave the West London club as a free agent. Several centre-backs, including Trevoh Chalobah, have thus emerged on Fulham's radar. But Alessio Romagnoli is also an option worth considering.

Lazio will have to battle hard to keep hold of the 29-year-old Serie A-winning defender. With Fulham and Newcastle United keen on bringing him to the Premier League, it will be interesting to see what the future has in store for Romagnoli.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/01/18/fulham-rival-newcastle-united-in-alessio-romagnoli-chase/

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Mirror: Fulham send scout to watch Milan star during AFCON opener
Ismael Bennacer is attracting interest from the Premier League as Fulham watched him play for Algeria in their African Cup of Nations opener, a report claims.

According to the Daily Mirror, Fulham scouts were their to watch Bennacer at the African Cup of Nations this week as Algeria drew their opening game 1-1 with Angola. Bennacer started the game and game off in the second half.

The midfielder has made five Serie A appearances for Milan this season so far having just recovered from the knee surgery that he underwent towards the end of last season.

The 26-year-old returned to a starting spot in the holding midfield role upon making his return, but it wasn't long before Milan lost him again because of having to answer the call from his country.

Bennacer joined Milan in 2019 from Empoli and has become one of their most important performers since arriving, while he has also amassed 46 caps for his country and was voted player of the tournament in the last African Cup of Nations.

It is likely the Milan would command a sizeable fee for Bennacer while his willingness to move from playing Champions League football to joining Fulham would also need to be assessed.



https://sempremilan.com/mirror-fulham-scout-milan-star-bennacer

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Fulham, Brighton & Newcastle Look To Lazio's Romagnoli
Multiple clubs in the Premier League have started keeping a close eye on Lazio centre back Alessio Romagnoli.

The 29-year-old Italian defender is a fan favourite in the Italian capital following his arrival on a free transfer in the summer of 2022. He instantly became a core part of Maurizio Sarri's squad and is considered a reference point in the dressing room.

Romagnoli has continued to impress for Lazio this season, but a calf injury in November kept him sidelined for over six weeks, forcing him to miss nine matches across all competitions. He has seen 1599 minutes of action across 19 matches this campaign.

As reported by Calciomercato.com, Fulham, Brighton and Newcastle United are all keeping tabs on Romagnoli ahead of a possible move in the coming months. Whilst the defender is happy in the Italian capital, a lucrative offer could tempt him to make the jump to the Premier League.

The 29-year-old centre back, who is known to be a childhood fan of the Biancocelesti, is contracted to the club to June 2027.



https://thelaziali.com/2024/01/18/fulham-brighton-newcastle-lazios-romagnoli/

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Fulham table £35m Andre offer
Fulham have submitted an offer worth £35m for long-term transfer target Andre, according to various reports this afternoon.

The Whites have proposed a structured deal to Fluminese with the Brazilian outfit receiving an initial fee of £30m and a further incentive-related £5m. The defensive midfielder, who has won four senior caps for his country, is keen to move to the Premier League and has reached agreement over personal terms with the Cottagers.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/fulham-table-35m-andre-offer/

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Why West Ham are the ideal fit for £50m striker amid Wolves and Fulham transfer interest
Chelsea are rumoured to be letting another academy product go - we look at the possible transfer destinations.

What next for Armando Broja? Less than a fortnight after he scored just his second goal of the season against Preston North End in the FA Cup third round – and less than a fortnight after Mauricio Pochettino offered public words of encouragement to the Albanian international – both The Athletic and The Daily Telegraph have reported that Chelsea are prepared to listen to transfer offers for the striker, with West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham listed as potential destinations.

Since that promising loan spell at Southampton a couple of seasons ago, the 22-year-old ha s struggled to establish himself at Chelsea. He has scored just three goals in the 35 games he has played since his stint on the south coast, and while injuries have played their part (he damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in December 2022), few would argue that he has hit the heights of which he had seemed capable.

Pochettino described Broja's goal against Preston as "really important for him" and said his "potential is amazing – we're talking about of the young strikers in England and Europe with the most potential." Hardly the words of a man who expected his young charge to be heading towards the exit door within the next few weeks, but then recent developments around Conor Gallagher's proposed transfer to Tottenham Hotspur strongly suggest that the Argentine does not have the control over transfers that he wanted.

Pochettino also had some sterner words for the Slough-born striker: "He needs to use this type of game to score and to feel the net and to improve. Improve not only in his fitness, but his body language also. He needs to step up and to go forward and to move. He needs to be more positive."

It could be argued that he did just that in an improved (if still goalless) outing against Fulham on Saturday, but clearly it has not been enough to prevent Chelsea's higher-ups from shopping him out. He now appears to be approaching a critical second act in his career at some pace. From Chelsea's perspective, selling him makes sense. He has just one league goal this season and has not shown the lethal touch or consistency required to seriously compete with Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, and whichever wildly expensive striker they inevitably buy next summer.

He's also an academy product, which will cause any money earned from his sale to be seen as pure profit that can be spent elsewhere by the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. If Chelsea are seriously considering selling Gallagher or Levi Colwill to fund future purchases, selling Broja seems like a logical first step. The Telegraph's report suggests that Chelsea hope to earn as much as £50m from selling him, which seems quite staggeringly optimistic, especially in January, but presumably there is a more feasible figure which could be reached and The Standard have suggested a fee in the £30-40m range as being more plausible.

So where should Broja go, and what does he need to develop into the fearsome forward he threatened to be back when he was with the Saints? The three clubs supposedly in the market for his signature are all teams who have been looking for a forward since the summer – Fulham still need to replace Aleksandar Mitrović, West Ham are keen to find younger replacements for Michail Antonio and Danny Ings, and while Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-Chan seem to have solved Wolves' immediate need for goals they are still looking for warm bodies to fill the gaps left by Sasa Kalajdzic and Fábio Silva. Each are plausible and reasonable destinations who seem safe enough in the Premier League for the immediate future.

It seems fair to suggest that Broja needs to go to a club that plays to his strengths – his burst of pace, sharp movement and strong close dribbling – rather than to a side which wants him to operate as a classical number nine, holding the ball up or trying to get on the end of crosses. He may not be incapable of playing in such a way, but it makes more sense for him to play for a side that would want him to drop a little deeper to pick up the ball and try to beat men in front of him with his ball-carrying skills.

Making him and out-and-out central striker would also put the spotlight firmly on his finishing, an area in which he has struggled. He has generated just over two goals' worth of xG in the Premier League so far this season, at a rate of one likely goal every five matches, but has scored just once, against Fulham back in October. While those numbers will likely improve with confidence and consistent playing time, there are no signs that he will become a 20-goal centre-forward if asked to play that way. Even when he was earning substantial and justified praise at Southampton, he only scored six goals all season.

That might rule Fulham out, unless they see Broja as a wide forward who could play on one side of Raúl Jiménez, which is a plausible scenario but arguably not one that addresses their biggest positional needs. Fulham are geared up to have a strong hold-up man playing in the middle and bringing their attacking midfielders into play, and that is not Broja's strength.

West Ham and Wolves, by comparison, would seem like a better fit. Both play with narrower front threes with the wider forwards often looking to run on past a slightly deeper-set centre-forward, which should fit Broja pretty well positionally. If he struggled as a central striker, then he may also find a home in their respective systems as an inside forward – he can play in the role, but would not be a natural fit for a team which wanted the wide forwards to stick closer to the flanks as Fulham do under Marco Silva.

In terms of the needs of the two teams, West Ham probably have the more urgent need for a forward, with Saïd Benrahma increasingly likely to leave (probably for Lyon) and Antonio and Ings liable to follow. Wolves need depth quite badly, but between Cunha, Hwang and fellow forwards Pedro Neto and Pablo Sarabia, they have plenty of form players up front as it stands.

The question for either side, though, is not whether Broja broadly fits their needs – he does – but whether his recent poor form can be turned around. Is it a question of confidence, as Pochettino implied? Or is he simply not developing into the player many at Stamford Bridge hoped he would become? Even at the lowest price points suggested by the press, he would represent a pretty big gamble...



https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/chelsea/why-west-ham-ideal-fit-ps50m-striker-amid-wolves-fulham-transfer-interest-4483031

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Liverpool step aside as Fulham launch £35m bid for star Klopp no longer wants; personal terms agreed
A midfielder Liverpool unsuccessfully bid for last summer has agreed personal terms with Fulham, and Marco Silva's side have thundered in with a club-record £35m bid, according to a top source.

The Reds embarked on a full-scale midfield rebuild last summer that saw Arthur Melo (loan expiry), James Milner, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho all depart.

Taking their places were Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboslai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch.

However, had Fluminense not been in the knockout rounds of the Copa Libertadores at the time, Brazilian midfielder Andre may well have been among the incomings too.

ESPN confirmed Liverpool bid €30m (approx. £25.7m) for the 22-year-old in the summer window. However, Fluminense were dead set against selling while dreaming of lifting their first ever Copa Libertadores.

That tournament is the South American equivalent of the UEFA Champions League and Fluminense's hardline stance quickly proved wise. Indeed, with Andre in the engine room, Fluminense defeated Argentine giant Boca Juniors in the final on November 4.

There had been talk of Liverpool potentially reigning their interest and bidding again for Andre in January.

However, Liverpool have shown no signs of reviving their move and Andre now looks on course to join Fulham instead.

Fulham to break transfer record for Andre
Back in late-December, talkSPORT claimed Fulham had struck an agreement in principle to sign Andre.

Fast forward to present day and according to trusted reporter Ben Jacobs, Fulham have tabled a club-record £35m bid for the midfielder.

The offer is made up of £30m plus a further £5m in add-ons. Fulham's most expensive ever buy remains the roughly £25m paid to sign Jean Michael Seri from Nice back in 2018. If Fluminense say yes, Andre's transfer would blow Seri's record away.

Regarding personal terms, Jacobs stated an agreement is already in place between Fulham and Andre.

Fulham chief, Alistair Mackintosh, was in attendance for the Copa Libertadores final back in November. It's there where the seeds were sewn for Andre's switch to Fulham.



https://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/liverpool-step-aside-fulham-table-35m-bid-star-klopp-no-longer-wants-personal-terms-agreed