Thursday Fulham Stuff - 01/02/24...

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Fulham Midfielder Heading To Denmark On Loan
Fulham midfielder Tyrese Francois is closing in on a loan move to Danish outfit Vejle Boldklub for the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old midfielder has been on the fringes of the Fulham squad this season and has made just two senior appearances in cup games.

He is not close to Fulham's plans going forward and his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

The Cottagers have been keen to move him on and Francois is heading for Denmark on the final day of the winter transfer window.

According to Danish daily BT, the midfielder is on the cusp of joining Vejle Boldklub on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The Danish outfit are close to working out a loan agreement with Fulham for the midfielder's signature.

A few details of the agreement are still missing but the deal is expected to go through in the coming hours.

Francois has decided to opt for a move to Denmark despite having offers from clubs in the Championship.

Vejle Boldklub will hope that the midfielder's arrival will boost their chances of survival in the Danish top tier.



https://insidefutbol.com/2024/02/01/fulham-midfielder-heading-to-denmark-on-loan/635179/

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Wolves and Fulham 'return' as Chelsea in surprise Deadline Day 'change of heart'
The latest Premier League transfer news on Deadline Day as Wolves and Fulham are boosted by a change of heart from Chelsea.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to contact Chelsea again on Deadline Day after it emerged the Blues have had a last-gasp change of heart around striker Armando Broja.

Both Wolves and Fulham have failed to sign the Albania international in recent days as Chelsea were unwilling to let him go without the assurance of a £35 million obligation to buy. Wanderers came closest as they offered £25 million at the end of a six-month loan, but Chelsea weren't satisfied.

Now, though, there could be a very late move on the cards as Mauricio Pochettino's side have changed their stance. The Athletic reports Chelsea are now "open to letting Broja leave on a straight loan, provided it comes with a significant fee and game time commitments".

This is a huge boost for both Wolves and Fulham, who are desperate to bring in a new striker before tonight's 11pm deadline. Broja, who has scored twice and provided one assist this season since returning from injury, is likely to be a priority target as the clock ticks.

Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, claims Fulham have made another official proposal – a loan with a buy option. Wolves, on the other hand, have "returned overnight" after their original bid was rejected.

We'll have any other updates on the Broja story and more as it breaks.



https://www.birminghamworld.uk/sport/football/wolves/transfer-news-premier-league-deadline-day-wolves-fulham-alert-chelsea-decision-change-armando-broja-loan-4500616

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Chelsea lower £50m Armando Broja valuation but demand £5m for loan offers... with Fulham pushing to sign the Albanian striker ahead of the transfer deadline

    Chelsea will consider loan offers for striker Armando Broja on deadline day
    £50m for a reserve striker?! How can Chelsea demand that price for Armando Broja?

Chelsea have softened their stance over their £50m valuation for Armando Broja, but now want a minimum £5million loan fee to do a deal on deadline day.

The Blues had originally wanted wanted £50m for a permanent transfer or agreeing a loan deal with options or obligations to buy.

The softening of Chelsea's stance will likely see Fulham try again for Broja, while others may come to table.

As revealed on the latest It's All Kicking Off podcast, talks over a move across west London for the talented centre-forward have been ongoing.

Fulham have been attempting to negotiate a lower fee, with Chelsea now softening their stance ahead of the deadline.


Chelsea have softened their £50m vaulation for Armando Broja and will consider loan offers
 

Marco Silva's Fulham have been pushing to sign Broja ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline

Broja has also attracted interest from Wolves, where finances are limited amid FFP restrictions.

The forward was an unused substitute on Wednesday night, as Chelsea were beaten 4-1 by Liverpool at Anfield.

Broja has scored twice in 19 appearances this season for the Blues, but only eight have come as starts.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13032153/Chelsea-lower-Armando-Broja-valuation-loan-offers-Fulham-transfer-deadline.html

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea Change Position On Fulham Target Armando Broja
Fulham target Armando Broja is now available on a straight loan move away from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, according to The Athletic.

Broja has been in the shop window all winter but Chelsea were adamant about selling him throughout the window.

The Blues were only willing to accept a loan offer if there was an obligatory purchase clause in the proposed deal, which made many of his suitors look at other options.

However, with less than a day left in the window, Chelsea are now prepared to let the striker leave on a straight loan.

The Blues are ready to accept to loan him out if the deal involves a significant loan fee and commitments on regular game time.

Chelsea want Broja to play regular football in the latter half of the season to potentially protect his value.

If their conditions are not met, the striker could stay on at Chelsea for the rest of the season.

Fulham have been in talks with Chelsea over signing Broja and it remains to be seen whether they can get a deal over the line in time for tonight's deadline.



https://insidefutbol.com/2024/02/01/chelsea-change-position-on-fulham-target-armando-broja/635193/

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Fulham table official bid to sign Armando Broja

Fulham have submitted a fresh offer for the services of the 22-year-old Chelsea attacking sensation Armando Broja.
According to a report by talkSPORT, Fulham are keen on reinforcing their attack before the end of the transfer window. The Cottagers are interested in having Armando Broja in their ranks. They might have failed with an attempt earlier in the month. But the London club have returned for him.

The Armando Broja Story
Broja has been at Chelsea since 2009. He came up the ranks and made it to their first team in 2022. But, post that, things have not gone according to plan. A serious injury kept him out of action for the majority of last season. While he is back fit, he has failed to cement his spot in Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI.

His situation at the London club has attracted a lot of attention. Broja has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge throughout the winter. It might not have happened so far. But he can secure a move on deadline day.

Pochettino is ready to sanction his departure. But the Blues are not looking for a straightforward loan deal. Chelsea are ready to let him leave on loan if there is an obligation to buy him in the summer. The West Londoners value him at £50 million.

Fulham Want Armando Broja
Fulham have been interested in the 22-year-old for a while now. As per reports, the Cottagers submitted a loan offer earlier in the month, but that was rejected by the Blues. Despite facing rejection last time out, they have returned for his services.

The Cottagers are desperate for attacking reinforcement. Their summer signing Raul Jimenez has suffered a serious hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for a while. As a result, Fulham need to ensure they have enough firepower up top.

Their desperation has forced them to re-enter the race for Broja, and they have already submitted a loan offer until the end of the season to the Blues. While the offer does not include a mandatory buy option, it will be interesting to see how Chelsea reacts given they have already turned down offers without a buy obligation.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/02/01/fulham-table-official-bid-to-sign-armando-broja/

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Loan Fee Demand Prices Wolves Out Of Swoop For Fulham Target
Chelsea are pricing Fulham target Armando Broja out of a loan move to Wolves despite changing their stance on the striker, according to the Express & Star.

The Blues have been keen to stick to a firm stance on Broja throughout the transfer window with a £50m fee wanted from suitors.

Now in the closing stages of the winter transfer window, Chelsea have changed their position and are prepared to accept simple loan offers.

However, the Blues are asking for a loan fee for Broja and want £5m.

Chelsea's demands for the striker mean that a loan move to Wolves is currently off the table.

The Molineux club are not prepared to pay £5m just to sign Broja on loan for six months.

Broja has also attracted interest from other clubs, including Marco Silva's Fulham, and it remains to be seen if Chelsea's terms are acceptable to other teams.

Chelsea want to make sure Broja will play at whichever side he joins as they seek to protect his value.

He was an unused substitute last night at Anfield as Chelsea lost 4-1.



https://insidefutbol.com/2024/02/01/loan-fee-demand-prices-wolves-out-of-swoop-for-fulham-target/635158/

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Fulham transfer: Approach made for £30m Lyon star as Silva targets deadline day additions
Fulham have approached Lyon with a view to signing creative midfielder Rayan Cherki for a deal worth £30million, it has been claimed.

Despite only turning 20 last year, Cherki already has huge experience having made 123 appearances for Lyon since emerging from the club's youth academy.

The France under-21 international has registered 15 goals and 19 assists in total for Lyon, including three assists from 19 Ligue 1 games so far this season.

Cherki has been monitored by Premier League clubs for some time, with the youngster linked with moves to Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United last year.

And Fulham have reportedly made their move as the clock tick towards Thursday night's transfer deadline, with the Mail reporting that the Cottagers have made contact with Lyon over Cherki.

With Lyon struggling on the pitch this season – currently 16th in Ligue 1 and on their third manager of the season following the departures of Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso – Fulham's chances of pulling off a move may hinge on Lyon's ability to bring in new players before the deadline.

Despite their precarious position in the table, Lyon are pushing to make two high-profile captures from the Premier League in Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala and West Ham United winger Said Benrahma.

Lyon agreed fees with both clubs on Wednesday, but the deals reportedly remain up in the air.

Benrahma is believed to have requested more time to consider a move away from West Ham, while Mangala is waiting on a contract issue with Nottingham Forest to be resolved.

Fulham are expected to be one of the most active clubs on deadline day, with reports persisting that the club are keen on Chelsea forward Armando Broja.

That is despite manager Marco Silva insisting after Fulham's goalless draw with Everton on Tuesday that the Cottagers were unlikely to be active before the window shuts.

He said: "To be honest with you, I am not expecting many things towards the end of the market.

"If it was possible to do something, we should have done it at the beginning of the window because we had a [Carabao Cup] semi-final to play and the FA Cup [fourth round].

"The board are trying to do their best but if you ask me if we are going to do many things at the end of the market, then no.

"I will not talk about players that are not our players and rumours."



https://www.football365.com/news/fulham-transfer-lyon-deadline-day

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Fulham man 'one to watch' on deadline day – Club consider him as 'interesting player'
FC Augsburg have included Fulham's Carlos Vinícius in their target list, according to Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg.

He shared this update on X, formerly known as Twitter, and explained that the Bundesliga side consider the 28-year-old an 'interesting player'.

The journalist adds it's 'unlikely' for Augsburg to take him away from Fulham as of now. Plettenberg also warns that there may be movements as he's 'one to watch' on deadline day.

In other words, it's not ruled out completely for the German club to make a late attempt to sign the striker.

The Brazilian has been restricted to a limited role under Marco Silva's orders this season. He's clocked in 405 minutes from 16 games [only three starts] in all competitions, with three goals to his name.

His contract lasts until 2025 and the Premier League side have an option to extend it for another year.

Silva currently has Raúl Jiménez, Vinícius and Rodrigo Muniz as the three strikers at his disposal, with the latter two providing cover for the Mexican. If Fulham were to let Vinícius leave, it's unlikely they'd have sufficient time to bring in a replacement.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-man-one-watch-deadline-day-club-consider-interesting-player/

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Francois set for Vejle Boldklub loan
Fulham midfielder Tyrese Francois is poised to join Danish side Vejle Boldklub on loan for the rest of the season.

The 23 year-old, who has made two appearances for the Whites this term having recovered from injury, has been allowed to make the move in order to gain more regular first-team football after Marco Silva recognised that Francois needed more game time.

Francois has struggled to feature in the first-team under Silva despite starring in the early stages of his reign when he was stepped into central midfield due to an injury crisis in the Championship. He has reportedly turned down the chance to join a Championship side in order to play on the continent. The Campbelltown-born Australian under 23 international is out of contract at the end of this campaign and could well leave the club permanently in the summer.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/02/francois-set-for-vejle-boldklub-loan/

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Fulham leading Broja chase
Fulham are the frontrunners to take Armando Broja on loan after Chelsea changed their stance on the specifics of the transfer to facilitate movement on deadline day.

The Blues are eager to make space in their squad in order to be able to bring in a striker of their own in the closing hours of the transfer window and have now dropped their demand that any deal includes an obligation to buy. Chelsea want a sizeable loan fee in order to secure the services of the Albanian international, believed to be in the region of £5m, with Fulham willing to pay that to clinch a deal to sign Marco Silva's top target.

Broja – an unused substitute in Chelsea's defeat at Anfield last night – has scored twice in nineteen appearances under Mauricio Pochettino this term having recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury but the 22 year-old is unlikely to be a regular starter once Nicholas Jackson returns from the Africa Cup of Nations. Silva sees Broja, who scored against Fulham at Craven Cottage in October, as an ideal target man to supplement his striking resources with Raul Jimenez set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring against Everton on Wednesday.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/02/fulham-leading-broja-chase/

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Fulham 'not in Cherki talks'
Confusion reigns this morning over the status of Fulham's interest in Olympique Lyonnais attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki.

The Sun's football correspondent Alan Nixon broke a story yesterday suggesting that the Whites had tabled a massive £35m bid to try and bring the French under-21 international to the Premier League – and sources in France suggest that Fulham scouts have watched Cherki extensively over the past eighteen months. The Daily Mail carried an update overnight claiming that the clubs were locked in discussions about a deadline day transfer, but Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard reports today that there are talks taking place at the moment.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/02/fulham-not-in-cherki-talks/

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Milan remain in contact for Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly
Serie A giants Milan were keen on adding a defender in January and their failure to do that so far means that they would want one again in the summer.

Daniele Longo has reported that while Milan remain alive in the hunt to sign another defender this month on deadline day, they are already looking at things in the summer.  As of now, Tosin looks likely to become a Milan player in the summer, as he has not accepted Fulham's contract offer with his current deal running out in the summer.

Milan have already held positive contact with his entourage and a new meeting took place quite recently. As of now, there is a good chance that the deal will go through in the summer.

In recent weeks, contact was again made for Bournemouth's Kelly. His contract at the Cherries also expires in the summer and Milan see him as a low-cost move, even though a host of other clubs are keeping tabs on him. Because of competition, a move for Tosin sounds easier and it seems probable.




https://www.getfootballnewsitaly.com/2024/milan-remain-in-contact-for-fulhams-tosin-adarabioyo-and-bournemouths-lloyd-kelly/

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Fulham and Brentford eye last-ditch Morgan Whittaker raid on Plymouth Argyle
Morgan Whittaker has been the subject of interest from Premier League teams this month

    Brentford and Fulham are interested in Plymouth Argyle star Morgan Whittaker, who has been performing impressively in the Championship this season.
    Whittaker is under contract until 2027, so it would require a substantial fee to tempt Plymouth into selling him.
    Losing Whittaker at this late stage in the transfer window would be a significant setback for Plymouth and could jeopardize their position in the league.

Premier League sides Brentford and Fulham are plotting potential moves for Plymouth Argyle star Morgan Whittaker, according to Football Insider.

Fellow Premier League side West Ham are also said to be interested in the 23-year-old, but the two West London sides reportedly watched the Plymouth man in action during their recent FA Cup tie with Leeds United.

Having only made the move to Home Park in the summer, following a £1million move from Swansea City, the Pligrims will not want to lose the attacker, having already lost key players such as Finn Azaz, Luke Cundle, Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Lewis Warrington this month.

Fulham and Brentford's potential move for Morgan Whittaker
Both clubs watched the player in FA Cup action with a late transfer swoop in mind and both clubs would like to add the ex-Swansea man to their ranks before tonight's 11pm deadline.

Whittaker is under contract at Home Park until 2027, so it will take a sizeable fee to prize the player away from the club this month.

However, we all know that Premier League clubs aren't short of money and would be able to make Plymouth an offer they can't refuse if they were desperate to get the signing of Whittaker over the line this month.

Given how late it is in the window, Ian Foster's side will struggle to find a replacement for the attacker this month and are reportedly demanding a fee of between £10million to £15million if the player was to leave so late on.

It would be a huge sum of money for a club of Plymouth's stature and would represent a huge profit after paying just £1million for the player in July.

However, the club don't want to lose their starman after a difficult January which has seen them lose key players and their former manager Steven Schumacher just prior to the window opening.

It's reported that Fulham are looking for a striker this month but are keen to make the right signing instead of a panic buy, with Chelsea man Armando Broja also a target for the club.

Plymouth will be hoping they can keep Whittaker at the club until the summer, when they'll have time to re-assess the situation and line-up potential replacements for the player if he was to leave.

Morgan Whittaker's 2023/24 season
The 23-year-old has made 28 Championship appearances for Plymouth this season, scoring 15 times. This puts him second in the league's top goalscorers' chart, just one behind Blackburn's Sammie Szmodics.

This is made even more impressive when you consider Plymouth are 15th in the Championship table, 11 points away from the play-off places.

Whittaker enjoyed a successful spell on loan at Home Park in League One last season, but not many people would have expected the attacker to make the impact that he has in the Championship so far this season.

A fee of between £10million and £15million would be a game-changer for Plymouth and allow them to make some very good signings at Championship level, but losing Whittaker so late on in the window would be a huge blow and could lead to them being dragged into a relegation battle.

The club have already turned down bids from Lazio this month, with Director of Football Neil Dewsnip reiterating to Plymouth Live that the player is not for sale.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-and-brentford-plotting-a-potential-bid-for-plymouth-star/

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'Something is happening'... Sky journalist has update about 22-year-old Chelsea player on deadline day
Paul Gilmour has shared an update on Armando Broja's future at Chelsea live from Stamford Bridge this morning.

The 22-year-old could head out the door before tonight's deadline, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham both showing interest.

Gary O'Neil's side have already had a loan offer knocked back for Armando Broja earlier in the window.

As for Fulham, Marco Silva's men have expressed a late interest in signing the 22-year-old but faced a stumbling block over Chelsea's demands.

Yet, Chelsea have since changed their stance on Broja and are now willing to let the striker leave on a straight loan deal.

And this could lead to the Albanian making the switch to Fulham or Wolves ahead of tonight's deadline.

Broja could leave Chelsea with Fulham and Wolves keen
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Gilmour shared the latest on Broja's future after the recent U-turn from Chelsea.

"He's the one everyone is looking at today as a potential outgoing at Chelsea," the journalist said. "He was an unused substitute at Anfield last night which is always a tell-tale sign that something is happening and it is indeed happening.

"Fulham and Wolves are very much interested. Wolves have had a bid rejected earlier this window, a loan bid, for him.

"Fulham had a valuation in mind in terms of a permanent transfer, certainly a loan with a view to a permanent one. But that wasn't really matching up with Chelsea's valuation.

"It looked like he would stay. But what we're hearing this morning, David Ornstein first reported it and as usual, spot on, Chelsea may just be about to relax their terms and consider a straight loan with a loan fee. Broja would then come back in the summer.

"Really interesting to keep an eye on that because both Fulham and Wolves are in the market for a striker on this final day and Armando Broja, is right at the heart of it."

Broja was an unused substitute at Anfield last night as Chelsea suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat.

The Chelsea academy product has racked up 13 appearances in the Premier League this term, netting just once in the process.

It would benefit Broja to head out on loan once again and get some valuable first-team experience under his belt.

He impressed during a spell at Southampton during the 2021-22 campaign. A move to Craven Cottage or Molineux could now be on the cards after Chelsea's change of stance.

This is certainly one to keep an eye on ahead of tonight's deadline and it wouldn't be a surprise if Broja completed a loan switch to Wolves or Fulham.



https://tbrfootball.com/something-is-happening-sky-journalist-has-update-about-22-year-old-chelsea-player-on-deadline-day/

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Fulham are in talks with PSG over a loan move for £30m-rated striker Hugo Ekitike as an alternative target to Armando Broja... with Marco Silva's side unwilling to pay £5m loan fee being demanded by Chelsea

    Fulham have opened talks with PSG to sign £30m-rated Hugo Ekitike on loan

Fulham are in talks with Paris Saint Germain over a loan move for French striker Hugo Ekitike.

The 21-year-old has emerged over the last 24 hours as an alternative target to Armando Broja, as Fulham are unwilling to pay the £5million loan fee being demanded by Chelsea.

PSG are understood to be willing to listen to offers for Ekitike with their priority finding the right club who will provide him with game-time over the remainder of the season rather than securing a specific loan fee.

The 21-year-old former youth international spent last season on loan at PSG from Stade Reims before completing a £24m move last summer, but has only made one appearance for Luis Enrique's side this season.

Fulham have been monitoring Ekitike for some time and considered making a bid last summer, but were put off by PSG's £30m-plus valuation.


Fulham are in talks to sign PSG's £30m-rated striker Hugo Ekitike on loan on deadline day

Marco Silva's side have been pushing to land Broja during the january transfer window, with Chelsea having previously placed a £50m valuation on the Albanian forward, but today softened their stance.

Broja had also attracted interest from Wolves, who have been limited financially amid profit and sustainability restrictions.

The 22-year-old has scored twice in 19 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea this season.

More to follow...




https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13032723/Fulham-talks-PSG-loan-30m-rated-striker-Hugo-Ekitike-alternative-target-Armando-Broja-Marco-Silvas-unwilling-pay-5m-loan-fee-demanded-Chelsea.html

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How Wolves and Fulham now feel about paying £5m to sign Armando Broja from Chelsea on loan
Chelsea striker Armando Broja may not get a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers or Fulham today.

While Wolves and Fulham are both interested in Armando Broja, the two Premier League clubs are reluctant to pay the £5m loan fee Chelsea want for their player, journalist Jacob Steinberg has claimed on X.

Allowing Broja to join either Fulham or Wolves would leave Nicolas Jackson as the only recognised centre-forward in the Blues' squad.

Even so, Chelsea still seem prepared to let the 22-year-old go if they get the right offer for him.

Broja has made just six starts in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino this season and has only scored one goal.

Fulham and Wolves reluctant to pay £5m fee for Armando Broja
 £5m for a loan deal, especially for a short-term one like this one, is a lot of money.

It is no surprise, then, that Fulham and Wolves do not want to pay it. That kind of money is not going to transform Chelsea as a business, though.

If they are willing to let him go out on loan without an obligation to buy, at this point, letting Broja leave the club is probably more about getting him minutes. They have no other reason to send the Albania international out on a straight loan.

It will now be interesting to see if any club is willing to pay £5m to take Broja for the rest of the campaign. While it is a lot, it is still affordable, so do not rule it out.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/how-wolves-and-fulham-now-feel-about-paying-5m-to-sign-armando-broja-from-chelsea-on-loan/

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Fulham in talks to sign Lyon's Rayan Cherki
According to The Guardian journalist Ed Aarons, Fulham are in talks to sign Olympique Lyonnais forward Rayan Cherki (20), who is free to leave the French club this month.

Whilst Cherki has continued to perform well for the France U21 side, his performances for formative club Lyon have drawn criticism this season. With OL needing to balance the books after spending heavily this January. Players such as Gift Orban, Malick Fofana and Nemanja Matić have arrived, however, there have been no major outgoings. Orel Mangala and Saïd Benrahma are also expected to complete their moves to Lyon on deadline day.

L'Équipe reported in early December that Lyon, who were unsatisfied with Cherki's performances, could be tempted to cash in on the Frenchman in January, and would be willing to accept an offer as low as €10m.

Aarons now reports that Fulham have opened talks to sign Cherki, with Lyon still open to a sale. However, OL's valuation is estimated to be around £35m. Other Premier League clubs are also interested, but only regarding a summer move.



https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/fulham-in-talks-to-sign-lyons-rayan-cherki/

[WhiteJC]

Preview: Burnley vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups
Both aiming to put a stop to miserable winless streaks, Burnley and Fulham clash at Turf Moor in Saturday's Premier League showdown.

The Clarets were put to the sword 3-1 by Manchester City in their midweek affair, while Marco Silva's men settled for a point in a goalless draw at home to Everton.

Match preview
Not the first and potentially not the last Pep Guardiola protege to endure a rude awakening at his old stomping ground, Burnley boss Vincent Kompany would have expected no favours from his former master in the Clarets' fight against the drop during their showdown with the treble winners on Wednesday.

There was particular reason for Julian Alvarez to celebrate on his 24th birthday, as the Argentine propelled the Citizens into a two-goal lead early doors, and Rodri put the game out of sight for Man City early in the second half before Ameen Al-Dakhil gave the away end something to cheer in added time.

Still on a one-way path back down to the Championship, Burnley occupy 19th place in the Premier League standings with a seven-point gap to make up to 17th-placed Luton Town - who also have a game in hand - and basement boys Sheffield United are still within touching distance of the Clarets.

Few would have foreseen Kompany's side going toe-to-toe with the Premier League champions, and Burnley could pat themselves on the back for avoiding a hiding against the treble winners, although the Clarets boss still lamented the avoidable nature of the goals his side shipped on the Etihad soil.

Returning to Turf Moor turf, Burnley still hold the unwanted honour of being the Premier League's worst-performing home team this season - accruing just four points from 33 on offer at their headquarters - although one of those points did come when Luton Town paid a visit on January 12.

Burnley's winless run in all tournaments stretched to five games with their midweek defeat, and Fulham also have an identical sequence to snap at Turf Moor, having succumbed to their own wastefulness when Everton arrived at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night.

Squaring up to one of his old clubs in West London, Marco Silva witnessed his side enjoy 69% of the ball and let fly on 25 occasions, although Jordan Pickford was forced into just five saves, and the Cottagers were fortunate to even glean a point as Beto missed an aerial sitter at the other end of the pitch.

With scoring woes rearing their ugly heads again, Fulham's own top-flight status is not entirely secure as they languish in 12th place in the table - seven points above the dotted line - and a draw or win for Bournemouth against West Ham United on Thursday would push them further down the standings.

From Fulham's six January fixtures across the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, Silva's men only managed to make the net ripple on three occasions, and for all of Burnley's shortcomings on home soil, the Cottagers have an aversion to picking up points on the road, where each of their last five games in the top flight have ended in defeat.

An opening-weekend win over Everton remains the last time that Fulham triumphed away from home in the top flight, and the head-to-head column also does not favour the Cottagers, whose 2-0 loss to Burnley at Craven Cottage in December marked their fourth defeat from their last five meetings against the Clarets.

Burnley Premier League form:

    L    W    L    L    D    L

Burnley form (all competitions):

    W    L    L    L    D    L

Fulham Premier League form:

    L    L    L    W    L    D

Fulham form (all competitions):

    W    L    L    D    L    D


Team News
One positive for Kompany to take from Burnley's loss to Man City was seeing no more players enter the treatment room, but Luca Koleosho (knee) and Nathan Redmond - who has undergone hamstring surgery - should not play again in the current campaign.

Charlie Taylor is still struggling with a shoulder concern and will likely miss the visit of the Cottagers too, but Kompany otherwise has all of his troops available and should not turn his nose up to making a couple of alterations given the quick turnaround.

Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana marked his Burnley debut with the assist for Al-Dakhil's Etihad consolation and could now be rewarded with a first start for Kompany's side, but Connor Roberts's participation is currently up in the air amid links with Leeds United.

Burnley's Taylor is not the only wide man struggling with a shoulder injury, as Fulham attacker Harry Wilson missed the draw with Everton due to a similar issue sustained against Liverpool in the EFL Cup, and the Welshman will spend at least another two weeks recovering.

Silva was dealt another two hamstring-related blows in midweek, as Raul Jimenez only lasted until half time before Issa Diop was forced off with 15 minutes left to play, so Rodrigo Muniz and Tim Ream should prepare for possible recalls.

Adama Traore is making slow progress in his recovery from a thigh injury but remains absent too, and with Nigeria in Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final action against Angola on Friday, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey will also miss the trip to Turf Moor.

However, with Senegal going out to Ivory Coast in the last 16, fringe left-back Fode Ballo-Toure could return to strengthen Fulham's defensive options.


Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Vitinho, O'Shea, Ekdal, Al-Dakhil; Gudmundsson, Berge, Brownhill, Odobert; Amdouni, Datro Fofana

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Muniz

We say: Burnley 1-0 Fulham
With cup fatigue and fresh injury blows bedevilling a goal-shy Fulham side who have struggled to perform on the road all season, the stage could be set for a Burnley redemption tale at Turf Moor, especially when the Clarets' notable recent results against the visitors are taken into account.

Kompany's men will be working with a day's less rest than their capital counterparts and are hardly prolific themselves, but we still have faith in the Clarets to reignite their faltering survival charge by doing the double over the Cottagers.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/burnley/preview/preview-burnley-vs-fulham-prediction-team-news-lineups_535548.html?cQx=NN&newsnow

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Fulham looking to hijack Lyon's move for Saïd Benrahma
Saïd Benrahma (28) was all set to travel to France in order to complete his move to Olympique Lyonnais. The medical and private jet was all booked, however, according to Foot Mercato, Fulham have lodged a last-minute bid to hijack the move.

West Ham United and Lyon have already come to an agreement over the Algerian international, with the deal reportedly structured around a loan deal with an option to purchase in the summer.

Lyon would pay an initial loan fee of €5 million while the transfer fee if they hoped to secure his services permanently would cost the club an extra €10 million.

However, according to RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins, the transfer was left in suspense with Benrahma not immediately reaching an agreement to join Les Gones. That impasse was broken on Thursday morning, with Foot Mercato reporting that Benrahma was set to imminently board a flight to Lyon. But at the last minute, Fulham are looking to hijack the move, and are "pushing hard" to sign the Algerian international.



https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/fulham-looking-to-hijack-lyons-move-for-said-benrahma/

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'Pushing hard'...Premier League club now trying to pinch Said Benrahma from under Lyon's noses
Premier League side Fulham are now trying to make a late move to sign Said Benrahma from Fulham, despite a deal with Lyon being agreed.

Benrahma is free to leave the Hammers and a move to Lyon looked set to be completed before tonight's deadline passes.

However, in a fresh and late twist, it looks like Premier League rivals Fulham are now making a late play to land the winger.

According to journalist Santi Aouna, the Cottagers have made a late play to try and sign Benrahma, despite Lyon having a jet and medical booked for the winger.

Fulham making late moves
Out of nowhere, Fulham have come alive in the last few days of this window and have been linked with moves for a number of players.

Armando Broja at Chelsea remains a player of interest and now with Benrahma being looked at, it's clear Fulham have a bit of money to spend on deadline day.

For Benrahma, a move to Fulham might not hold the same appeal as a move to France with Lyon. However, it would keep him in the Premier League and he'd probably go straight into the XI under Marco Silva.

The Cottagers are treading water really and could get dragged into the relegation dog fight if they aren't careful.

Silva, then, is wanting to add new players and signing someone with PL experience like Benrahma would give his squad a welcome boost.



https://tbrfootball.com/pushing-hard-premier-league-club-now-trying-to-pinch-said-benrahma-from-under-lyons-noses/