Thursday Fulham Stuff - 18/04/24...

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£10million Fulham star says he was 'very close' to joining Everton before late U-turn
A current Fulham player has admitted he was "very close" to joining Everton in 2021 before a sudden change of heart.

The Toffees have had numerous players come through the doors over the years with differing levels of success.

Several have started superbly well before seeing their fortunes swiftly change.

Everton's off-the-field issues have hardly been conducive to success over the last seven years. Farhad Moshiri's misspending, coupled with Premier League charges, have cast a large cloud over Goodison Park.

Evertonians are now desperate to see the back of the British-Iranian businessman; when that time will be remains a mystery.

Fulham star Andreas Pereira shares 2021 story on Everton
Fulham star Andreas Pereira moved to Craven Cottage permanently in 2022. Sky Sports reported the 28-year-old was signed for £10million, with his former employers, Manchester United, holding a 20 per cent sell-on fee.

The Brazilian embarked on numerous loan spells during his stint at Old Trafford: Valencia, Lazio, Granada and Flamengo.

Pereira has since revealed that he was "very close" to moving to Goodison Park before his loan move to his native Brazil back in 2021.

Speaking to Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel, the Fulham star said: "I was very close to joining Everton. And, suddenly, my father called me and said, 'Andreas, you've never played in Brazil, and you're Brazilian. I was like, 'Yeah, but where do we go then?'"

Everton could've missed out on the former Manchester United gem
A loan deal could have been a good solution for all concerned. Everton would've landed a creative midfielder – that they desperately needed – and Manchester United could have been content with one of their younger stars gaining much-needed experience.

Moving away from Old Trafford permanently appears to have done wonders for Pereira. He's made 78 appearances under Marco Silva in two years, more than he amassed for Manchester United during his eight-year stint at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian has become a shrewd addition for the Craven Cottage club. Seven assists and three goals this season is a commendable attacking return, something Sean Dyche desperately requires at the heart of his midfield.



https://www.everton.news/10million-fulham-star-says-he-was-very-close-to-joining-everton-before-late-u-turn/

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Fulham and Brighton loan pair to return from EFL club this summer as boss shares update
Northampton Town boss Jon Brady has admitted Kieron Bowie and Marc Leonard will be playing their final two games for the club over the next couple of weekends.

Northampton Town have had the pair on loan from Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion over the past two seasons.

They helped the Cobblers gain promotion from League Two last year and have adapted well to life in League One.

Brady has said, as per a report by the Northampton Chronicle & Echo: "It would be great to see fans come down and see Marc Leonard and Kieron Bowie play at home probably for one last time because they are two high quality players.

"They'll go back to their respective clubs in the summer but they have both been brilliant for us during the two years. In my time here and from knowing the Cobblers over the years, I'd say he (Leonard) is probably been one of the best players to ever wear a Cobblers shirt."

Northampton Town loan latest
Fulham landed Bowie from Raith Rovers back in 2020 and he was given the green light to link up with Northampton on a temporary basis in 2022.

He has since scored 14 goals in 82 matches during his time at Sixfields in all competitions, nine of which have come in this campaign.

The Scotsman is due to return to Craven Cottage when his loan expires and his parent club have a big decision to make on what to do with him next.

As for Leonard, he has a year left on his contract at Brighton and he has been a standout player for the Cobblers over recent times.

He appears to be a man in-demand ahead of the next transfer window and is wanted by the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Preston North End and Swansea City in the Championship, according to reporter Fabrizio Romano on X.

The ex-Rangers and Hearts man has made 94 appearances for Brady's side in all competitions to date, chipping in with six goals and seven assists.

Northampton are sat in 11th place in the table and are three points behind Leyton Orient in 10th. They will need to find a replacement for both Bowie and Leonard when they go back to the Premier League.

The Cobblers have two fixtures left to play against Exeter City at home and Barnsley away.



https://the72.co.uk/2024/04/17/fulham-and-brighton-loan-pair-to-return-from-efl-club-this-summer-as-boss-shares-update/

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Boa Morte meets Made in Fulham graduates
Fulham first team coach Luis Boa Morte met with graduates from the Made in Fulham coaching development programme pioneered by the Fulham Foundation last week.

Made in Fulham is a thirteen-week introduction to coaching for people aged between 18 and 25 and the latest cohort from the scheme were invited to celebrate their progression with a special event at Craven Cottage. Boa Morte, who began his own coaching career by helping out with the age group academy sides at Motspur Park after he hung up his boots, gave an insight into his own experience and the key qualities a successful coach needs.

It underlines to me just how big a miss Boa Morte will be when he leaves Fulham this summer to take over as the new national team coach of Guinea Bissau.

Shortlisting for the next stream of Made in Fulham applications is underway – you can express your interest via the Foundation's website.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/04/boa-morte-meets-made-in-fulham-graduates/

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Chelsea defender targeted by Fulham for potential summer move
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been linked with a move to Fulham as they look at possible options to replace Tosin Adarabioyo.

Chalobah missed the first half of the season through injury, but has returned to the Blues side and has quietly put in some impressive performances.

He was expected to leave the club in January but his injury put pay to that, whilst a potential move to German giants Bayern Munich collapsed last summer.

Team Talk reports that Fulham were one of the clubs to enquire about the 24-year-old in January and bids are expected for the academy graduate in the summer.

Chalobah has reportedly accepted his future doesn't lie with his boyhood club and is now open to an exit, despite having a strong rapport with the Chelsea fans.

The Chelsea hierarchy view Chalobah as expendable given he is someone that can be sold for pure profit having come through the ranks at Cobham.

The defender has been at Chelsea his entire career and has had loan spells at Ipswich Town, Huddersfield and French side Lorient.

Team Talk add that Chalobah is still resistant to the idea of leaving Stamford Bridge but seems to have accepted his fate.

He has started the Blues last two Premier League, but it's believed that is to put him in the shop window rather than the defender becoming part of Mauricio Pochettino's long term plans.

Chalobah turned down a move to Nottingham Forest and a number of clubs have considered a move for the defender.

The report adds that Fulham are keen to bring in Chalobah as a potential replacement for Adarabioyo, who is out of contract in the summer.

It's believed that a move to Fulham is most attractive to him, due to his family's relationship with the club.

Chalobah's brother, Nathaniel, was at the Fulham youth academy before joining Chelsea and played for the first team between 2021 and 2023.

It's been reported that Chalobah wants to join a club playing European football so a move to Fulham could appear unlikely.



https://chelsea.news/2024/04/trevoh-chalobah-targeted-by-fulham-as-tosin-adarabioyo-replacement/

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Former Leeds United man linked with West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace given £40m price tag
Arsenal reportedly want the bidding to start at £40m for former Leeds United forward Eddie Nketiah.

The 24-year-old won his first England cap earlier this season but has been unable to nail down a regular starting spot in the Arsenal side. In recent months, he has been linked with the likes of West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

However, any club keen on prising Nketiah from Arsenal will reportedly have to dig deep into their pockets. According to HITC, Arsenal want the bidding to start at £40m.

Fulham and AFC Bournemouth are also said to be interested in the forward, who Arsenal are reportedly ready to cash in on as they look to reshape their squad in the summer. Leicester City have previously been credited with interest in the frontman, as have Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Another Arsenal academy product, Folarin Balogun, was sold to AS Monaco for a reported £34m last year and had seen less senior action with the Gunners than Nketiah has.

Leeds took Nketiah on loan in the summer of 2019, ahead of Marcelo Bielsa's second season at the helm. He showed promise at Elland Road but Bielsa preferred to deploy Patrick Bamford as a lone forward.

Having struggled for starts in West Yorkshire, Arsenal activated a recall clause in his contract in the January transfer window. He has made a total of 167 appearances for the Gunners and scored 38 goals.



https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/former-leeds-united-man-linked-with-west-ham-fulham-and-crystal-palace-given-ps40m-price-tag-4594068

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Fulham and Nottingham Forest can provide refuge for Arsenal youth graduate – Both keen on saving him from wrong move
Fulham and Nottingham Forest can open the door for former Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom to return to England in the summer, according to Allnigeriasoccer.com.

The 28-year-old graduated from Arsenal's academy, but didn't get regular opportunities with their first team. He went out on loan before leaving the Gunners permanently in 2018. After spells at PAOK and Middlesbrough, he joined Ajax last summer.

Akpom has managed 13 goals and an assist for the Eredivisie side, but reportedly wants to leave them after this season.

The attacker has clocked in 1,224 minutes from 32 games and isn't happy with the game time at Ajax. He's keen on changing clubs in the summer, and Fulham and Nottingham Forest have emerged as contenders from the Premier League.

It's claimed the Arsenal youth graduate has received concrete interest from Fulham and Nuno Espírito Santo's side. In addition to this, Lille and RC Lens are also in the picture to sign him.

The report says it's possible that these clubs will make an attempt to sign him in the next window.

Akpom's decision to join the Dutch club hasn't paid off. The player's deal lasts until 2028 and with him wanting to leave, Ajax will have a make a decision on his future.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-nottingham-forest-can-provide-refuge-arsenal-youth-graduate-keen-saving-wrong-move/

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Season tickets 2024/25
With our win at West Ham on Sunday confirming Premier League status for a third consecutive season, many Fulham supporters are now waiting for news of Craven Cottage season ticket prices for 2024/25.

Since our return to the Premier League in 2022, prices have increased steeply. In the standard seating areas of the Hammersmith, Putney, and Johnny Haynes stands, adult and senior season ticket renewals have all risen by 30% in two years. Meanwhile many junior tickets have more than doubled in price from what was previously an exceptional offering that aimed at building future generations of fans for our club. We have included a table below to help you understand these prices in more detail.

Last season's accounts inform us that gate receipts generated 8% of a record turnover, dwarfed by revenue from the Premier League, commercial sponsorship, and broadcasters. This means that any ticket price increases have a disproportionately small impact on profitability but a much more material impact on long-standing loyal supporters who have experienced consecutive rises of 10% and 18%, and whose living standards continue to be eroded both by inflation and increased taxation.

We are following with interest the approaches other clubs are taking when reviewing their prices and engaging with fans. Liverpool in particular announced that they "need to review and improve engagement with supporters' groups over ticket pricing", whilst Crystal Palace, a club similar to Fulham with whom we compete for local fans, has frozen prices for 2024/25. We note also that inflation is now down to 3.2% and forecast by the Bank of England to fall below 2% later this Spring.

Despite our regular monthly meetings with Fulham, we have been disappointed by the lack of meaningful consultation on ticket pricing over the last few years and we deferred our April meeting because the overwhelming majority of the questions raised by supporters now relate to season ticket pricing.

We are united in our desire that Fulham, understandably, must drive towards financial sustainability and we appreciate the continuing investment from the Khan family. However, the path to financial sustainability can't come at the expense of the long-term sustainability of our fan base.

We remain ready to engage with the Club on the detail of 2024/25 pricing at any time.




https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2024/04/season-tickets-2024-25/

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Join The 2024/25 Season Ticket Waiting List

Be first in line for all of next season's action!

Ahead of 2024/25 Season Tickets going on sale, supporters can now sign up to the waiting list to be one of the first to hear about options for the upcoming season.

For the best chance of securing a 2024/25 Season Ticket, supporters are urged to sign up as early as possible.

Further details will be released in due course.

Supporters who hold a current Season Ticket (2023/24 campaign) do not need to sign up to the waiting list, unless they are registering to purchase additional seats.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/april/17/join-the-2024-25-season-ticket-waiting-list/

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Club have 'reached an agreement' to sign Fulham player – 3 year contract on the table
On Monday, we covered claims from Turkey that Beşiktaş have identified Fulham's Kenny Tete as a transfer target.

The 28-year-old's current deal with Marco Silva's side expires in June and the Istanbul club's idea is to take him on a free transfer in the summer.

Sabah state Beşiktaş have taken concrete steps to take the defender away from Fulham in the next window.

Earlier this month, the Black Eagles parted ways with manager Fernando Santos and are yet to appoint his successor. That hasn't stopped them planning for the summer window as they plan to have a strong squad next season.

The Turkish club's management have 'reached an agreement' with the Fulham centre-back, to arrive as a free agent in the summer. It's further claimed the Dutchman has 'said yes' to the three-year contract offered by Beşiktaş.

According to Sabah, the two parties are discussing the final details and if everything goes well, Tete could sign the deal in a 'short time'.

Fulham signed Tete from Lyon in 2020 and offered him a four-year deal, with an option for another year.

It's worth noting that claims in the Netherlands this week floated the idea of a return to Ajax, where Tete came through the youth system.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-said-yes-leave-fulham-summer-reached-agreement-transfer/

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How transfer talks at Lisbon hotel resulted in Fulham beating Middlesbrough to player – They'll be glad they did
After returning from a loan spell at Middlesbrough last summer, Rodrigo Muniz had a tough start to the season with Fulham, before starting to impress for the London club this year.

The striker has eight league goals and all of them were scored since the start of February. Prior to his arrival at Fulham, Middlesbrough had shown interest in signing him on a permanent basis.

That's according to UOL, who provide a background on how the Premier League side were able to beat competition to secure the Brazilian's services.

Fulham signed the 22-year-old from Flamengo in August 2021, after overcoming strong competition from Middlesbrough.

It's claimed officials from the two English clubs 'sat at opposite tables' in the lobby of Lisbon's Tivoli Hotel, at a time when agents and intermediaries were working on striking the best deal.

The Championship side's technical director Leo Percovich, who had spells in Brazil during his playing career, was assisting Boro. After negotiations and calls between England and Brazil, Fulham were able to get ahead of Middlesbrough and seal the transfer in Portugal.

UOL claim Marco Silva was insistent on signing Muniz and played a key role in convincing Fulham to pay €8m in 2021.

Both Silva and Fulham will now be glad that they were able to get the deal over the line, considering how well the South American has done recently.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/transfer-talks-lisbon-hotel-resulted-fulham-beating-middlesbrough-player-theyll-glad/

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Fulham eye 'expendable' Chelsea outcast as Tosin Adarabioyo replacement
The Chelsea academy graduate has been placed 'in the shop window' ahead of summer transfer window

It is looking increasingly likely that Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo will no longer be a Cottager once the 2024/25 season kicks off with interest in the centre-back growing. The English 26-year-old is out of contract with Marco Silva's side this summer and Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Newcastle all reportedly eyeing a move for the former Manchester City player, Silva will be forced to look for replacements when June comes around.

One name who has been linked with a move within west London is Chelsea's Trevor Chalobah. Reports from TEAMtalk have indicated that Fulham have been strong admirers of the Blues 24-year-old and see him as a replacement for the potentially-departing Adarabioyo.

Chalobah missed much of the first half of the season due to injury which put off many clubs from signing him in January but the Craven Cottage side were not one of them. Bids are now expected to take place for the centre-back in the upcoming transfer window with the 24-year-old now finally accepting his longer term future in football will not lie with his boyhood club. Mauricio Pochettino has put the defender in the starting line-up for the past two Premier League games but this is understood to be a case of putting 'him in the shop window' rather than a sign he is part of any longer term plans.

As a product of the Chelsea academy, members of the board will view Chalobah as someone who can be sold for pure profit and with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules lingering, this will be a huge bonus for the Stamford Bridge side.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/chelsea/fulham-eye-expendable-chelsea-outcast-as-tosin-adarabioyo-replacement-4594430

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'The reality' - Marco Silva has already warned Newcastle United and Spurs over big Fulham transfer
The Fulham defender has attracted huge transfer interest with a contract extension still to be agreed with the Cottagers.

Fulham contract rebel Tosin Adarabioyo continues to attract huge transfer interest ahead of the end of the season with his deal at Craven Cottage set to expire at the end of the campaign.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign under Marco Silva this season and has been linked with a summer free agent move with several Premier League clubs. Tottenham Hotspur have long been mentioned as potential suitors while Tosin has emerged as the ideal acquisition to fit Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new transfer strategy at Manchester United.

This week, Newcastle United were also linked with a move for the player come the end of the campaign with Magpies stars Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles suffering serious ACL injuries. There have also been transfer links with clubs on the continent, including Juventus.

Fulham supporters nervously wait for news from the club over Tosin's future, but Marco Silva has already hinted to fans and interested suitors that the Cottagers are working on a new deal.

Speaking about the centre-back along with fellow stars Kenny Tete and Bobby De Cordova-Reid, whose deals are running out, Silva said: "Three different things [situations], or two that are different. With Kenny, we have an option in his contract. We keep speaking with his agent, but the option is there any time we want to trigger it.

"That's a different situation than the other two, who are at the end of their contracts. The reality, and what I can say to you now, [is] we are speaking with them and their agents. What we try to do is to have them with us. Our ambition, and what we want, is to have them with us next season again."

The Fulham head coach had previously expressed his confidence that a deal would be completed with Tosin, pointing to a good working relationship with the player. In December, he said: "I tried to sort it [his contract] out two years ago. Last season I did the same — and I did the same at the beginning of this season. He's a really good central defender. It's something that the club tried. They are probably still trying now.

"I'm not worried. I'm enjoying working with my players, and if they are available for me, I'm trying to get the best out of them."



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/marco-silva-has-already-warned-newcastle-united-and-spurs-over-big-fulham-transfer-4594554

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I didn't talk to Erik ten Hag - I left Manchester United to feel loved
Andreas Pereira left Manchester United for Fulham in 2022

Andreas Pereira says he left Manchester United to go and "feel loved" as he detailed how Sir Alex Ferguson lured him to Old Trafford from Erik ten Hag at PSV Eindhoven.

The 28-year-old left the North West in the summer of 2022 after a series of loan spells at the likes of Granada, Valencia, Lazio before returning to Brazil with Flamengo. He enjoyed a fruitful spell back in his native Brazil and earned a move in the Premier League to the Cottagers.

Pereira dodged talks with Erik ten Hag in a bid to see out his departure and while there was question marks over his departure, he has proved the doubters wrong as Marco Silva's side continue to defy expectations in the English top-flight.

"Leaving United, you're like, 'Am I really going to do this? Am I sure?' In the end, you're never 100 per cent sure, really. Sometimes you think stay and have another go. Other times, you have to leave," said Pereira on Vibe with Five.

"I wanted to play, after COVID, I wanted to play. I was going crazy, wanting to play in the Premier League. I wanted to show that I was good enough, I was very close to joining Everton and suddenly my father called me and said, 'Andreas, you never played in Brazil, you're Brazilian'.

"I was like, 'Where do we go then?' The president of Flamengo jokingly called my dad and said, 'If he wants to come, he can come'.

"Everyone at United said, 'You're crazy, you'll stay in Brazil, you'll never come back to Europe'. Everyone in my family wanted me to come [to Brazil] but they were like, 'No, what are you doing?'

"I wanted to play in Brazil and want to feel loved. I didn't feel the love that I thought I should get. I wanted to feel loved by my own people, play close to my family and enjoy football."

He added: "This was when I came back to England, to Fulham. Erik ten Hag, he worked at PSV when I was 16 years old. Before leaving for United, the [PSV] president and Erik ten Hag came to speak to me and my dad and said, 'Look everything is set up for you at PSV, if you stay here you're going to play in the first team'. But I'd just been to United and spoke with Fergie. I was like, 'I'm going to United'.

"That's why I didn't want to speak to Erik because I knew him and I knew that, at the time, it was always a conversation, like, 'Andreas, stay here. You're not going to play every game, maybe one game in every three, you'll be around the squad'. That's not what I wanted, I wanted to play."



https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/didnt-talk-erik-ten-hag-29010423

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Fulham almost invited to make offer again – Tried in January, club now willing to sell
Fulham may be wise to make a second bid for VfB Stuttgart's Silas this summer, with the German side changing their stance from the January transfer window.

That's according to BILD, who cover the player today and how a summer bid from Fulham would be more welcomed than it was when they made an effort in the winter.

They explain that while interest has now cooled down, the reality is that they would be wise to revive their effort.

That's because Silas is no longer the first-team regular that he was at Stuttgart and a stay at the club is no longer set in stone. In fact, the Bundesliga side would be willing to let him go if the right offer was made.

They paid €8m for the player almost five years ago and would be happy to receive the same fee to let him go this summer.

If Fulham want to revive their interest, they need to convince the player, whose not convinced about a departure and wants to stay, believing he can get more playing time as Stuttgart will be in European competition.

The German side have a different idea, though, and will welcome any offers If Fulham or other potential suitors come knocking again.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/summer-bid-fulham-welcomed-january-rejection-player-needs-convincing/

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Report: Spurs make 'lucrative contract offer' to try and beat Man United to transfer target
TEAMtalk have revealed that Tottenham Hotspur have now made a contract offer to Tosin Adarbioyo in an effort to beat Manchester United to the Fulham star's services.

Adarbioyo's current contract at Fulham runs out this summer and it was reported by Football.London's Alasdair Gold last week that Tottenham were ready to step up their pursuit of the Englishman.

Gold explained that the defender is willing to make a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is not put off by the prospect of competing with Crsitian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin for a place in the starting eleven.

Spurs make contract offer to Adarabioyo
If TEAMtalk's latest update is to be believed, the Lilywhites have already got in touch with Adarabioyo's representatives and sent them a contract offer.

It is explained that Fulham have also offered the centre-back fresh terms but the West London club face plenty of competition for the player's services.

The report reveals that Spurs and Man Utd have both reached out to the 26-year-old's camp but it is Tottenham who have moved to the front of the queue, having submitted a firm contract offer.

The publication adds that Ange Postecoglou's men have offered Adarabioyo a 'lucrative wage', which the defender and his entourage are currently considering.

Spurs Web Opinion
It is good to see that Tottenham are being proactive in their pursuit of Adarabioyo instead of waiting until the summer as the centre-back is not going to be short of offers.

It may come down to whether Postecoglou can convince the 26-year-old that he would get sufficient game time at the club.



https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/report-spurs-make-lucrative-contract-offer-to-try-and-beat-man-united-to-transfer-target/

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Watch PL Cup Semi-Final Live!
Tune in to FFCtv on Friday evening (7pm KO) to catch our Under-21s' Premier League Cup Semi-Final clash with Chelsea.

The Young Whites have impressed in the competition so far, scoring 25 goals across eight games, and will be looking to continue that form at Kingsmeadow.

The game will be free to air, with Gentleman Jim providing the commentary.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/april/17/watch-pl-cup-semi-final-live-/

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Tete to leave Fulham for Turkey?
According to a report in Turkey, Kenny Tete is set to leave Fulham to join Besiktas on a free transfer in the summer.

The right-back has an expiring contract in London and has only made 13 appearances in the Premier league this season.

A summer departure is on the cards and Turkish outlet Takvim, Tete will join Besiktas on a free transfer. There has been positive talks between the parties and only a few details need to be ironed out before a 3-year contract is confirmed.

Tete has been with Fulham since 2020 with the 14-time Netherlands international joining the club from Lyon. Before that, Tete came through at Ajax.



http://www.football-oranje.com/tete-to-leave-fulham-for-turkey/

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Leicester City: Dion Dublin can see Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joining Fulham
Dion Dublin has been impressed with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this season and expects his future will lie in the Premier League next season.

    Leicester City has been the best Championship team, with Dewsbury-Hall crucial to their success.
    The battle for promotion is intense, with four teams vying for two automatic promotion spots.
    Dewsbury-Hall's standout season has him on track for a Premier League move, regardless of Leicester's fate.

Dion Dublin believes Leicester City have been the best side in the Championship, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall key to their success this term.

 The race to gain promotion has been enthralling for the neutral this season and now entering the final few weeks and the thick of the run-in, with four sides still fighting it out for two spots in the automatic promotion places, where Ipswich currently sit top of the pile over their rivals.

There are bound to be many more twists and turns before the end of the season, and the two places inside the top two could easily change hands multiple times between the four clubs involved in vying for a guaranteed place in the Premier League.

Although their form has dropped off of late, the standard being set at the top of the table by those chasing down a Leicester side who once held a 17-point lead over Leeds has been at an all-time high in this season's iteration of the second tier, particularly from Daniel Farke's side and Ipswich, who have been absolutely ferocious prior to the international break in terms of their form and hunting down Leicester.

 Enzo Maresca's side haven't just stuttered of late, but allowed their rivals to eat up ground on them, having lost six of the last ten league games at a crucial stage, and still with Southampton to play, who have closed the gap on all the top three considerably.

One player who has performed well for much of the season for the Foxes, is Dewsbury-Hall - arguably Leicester's most valuable financial asset and best player, but they could need to raise significant funds before the end of June, irrespective of promotion.

The midfielder has already proved how vital he is to Leicester's promotion push this year with his performances dazzling so far in the Championship, and rightly earnt him a nomination for the Championship's Player of the Year award, albeit he missed out to Leeds' Crysencio Summerville.

Dion Dublin's Leicester City verdict
 Dion Dublin is now a Club Director at Cambridge United and pundit on BBC's Match of the Day, but he played 65 times for Leicester in the early 2000s, and believes his former side have been the league's most impressive side this season.

However, he had particular praise for Dewsbury-Hall and expects the 25-year-old will be a Premier League player next season, no matter what.

Dublin said: "Leicester's poor run of form could be down to how fast they started the season and how they were just blowing teams away.

"Sometimes you can - by accident - take your eye off the ball. The level can drop and you concede goals and just need a kick up the backside to get going again.

 "They need to regroup and at times they are still looking really good and have played the best football in the league. Just look at how good Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been.

"When you're talking about players that have interest in them, he could be someone that ends up back in the Premier League with a club like Fulham or someone else if Leicester go up or not."

Dewsbury-Hall's Leicester contribution
 Dewsbury-Hall is a Premier League player in all but name, but his overall goal contributions have underlined his quality this season from midfield, as well as his general level of performance, which has been the epitome of consistency.

If Leicester were to find themselves in the promotion picture this season, then their best midfielder was always going to be pivotal to that, as he has proved to be. He may also be the most crucial player for them during the final games, where the glory of top-flight football is tantalisingly close for the Foxes.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/dion-dublin-makes-fulham-claim-when-discussing-leicester-city-players-future/

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Arsenal ready to cash in on Eddie Nketiah for £40 million

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to cash in on Eddie Nketiah at the end of the season, with Crystal Palace, Fulham, and West Ham United keen.
A report from HITC claims that Arsenal have set a £40 million asking price for Eddie Nketiah. The 24-year-old striker is also a target for London clubs Crystal Palace, Fulham, and West Ham United.

Clubs like Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham United have long been linked with a move for Arsenal's homegrown forward, and it will be interesting to see if any of those London outfits are willing to pay up.

Nketiah has struggled for regular game time at Arsenal, and he needs to move on in search of regular playing time. A move away from the Emirates would be ideal for him right now. He needs to play more often at this stage of his career.

The homegrown attacker is already behind Gabriel Jesus in the pecking order, and Arsenal are expected to invest in another forward this summer. He could fall further down the pecking order at the north London club. A move to Crystal Palace, Fulham or West Ham would be ideal for him.

The Eagles need more depth in the attack and the 24-year-old could slot in seamlessly in place of Jean Philippe-Mateta. At Fulham, he could partner Rodrigo Muniz in the attack. The Cottagers have lacked cutting edge in the final third, and they need to sign a striker in the summer.

Meanwhile, West Ham UNited will lead to bring in a quality striker as well. Michail Antonio is past his peak, and Danny Ings remains an unreliable options because of his fitness problems.

Nketiah would improve all three clubs
All three clubs need to invest in our reliable goalscorer, and the Arsenal striker could prove to be a handy option for them. Eddie Nketiah has shown his quality in the Premier League during his cameos, and is he certainly good enough to be a Premier League striker if he is given more opportunities.

However, the asking price could be an issue for the three London clubs. They will not want to pay £40 million for a player who has barely played for Arsenal this season. The Gunners might have to be more reasonable with their demands in order for the move to go through.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/04/17/arsenal-ready-to-cash-in-on-eddie-nketiah-for-40-million/

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Fulham keen on Chuba Akpom

Fulham are interested in acquiring the services of the 28-year-old Ajax forward Chuba Akpom in the summer.
According to a report by Allnigeriasoccer, Fulham have started planning for the upcoming summer transfer window and they are looking at ways to bolster their attack. The Cottagers are interested in the services of Chuba Akpom and are keen on bringing him back to England.

Akpom was a part of the Arsenal youth ranks back in the day. While he did make it to their first team, things didn't really go according to plan. He made a name for himself at Middlesbrough before joining Ajax ahead of the ongoing season.

Return to England for Chuba Akpom?
The 28-year-old has an impressive record at the Dutch club but he is frustrated by the lack of first-team action. He has been involved in 32 out of their 44 matches but has only started in eight fixtures and has racked up less than 1,300 minutes. Despite being on the pitch for a limited amount of time, Akpom has 13 goals and an assist.

The former Middlesbrough is not happy as he wants to be a regular starter and he did consider the idea of leaving the Dutch club in the winter. However, Ajax stood in his way as they wanted him in their ranks for the second half of the season.

While things have improved a touch since the arrival of John van 't Schip, Akpom has already made a decision regarding his future. He wants to part ways with Ajax and there is a lot of interest in his services from across Europe.

Fulham keen on the 28-year-old
Premier League outfit Fulham who wanted to sign him in the winter could return for his services after the end of the ongoing season. The Cottagers parted ways with Aleksandar Mitrović last summer and they did make a few signings to cope with his absence.

Unfortunately, they haven't been able to deal with it in the best possible way and are looking to bring in a new striker in the upcoming transfer window. Akpom has been in sensational form and with the 28-year-old ready to move, the Cottagers could look to bring him back to England.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/04/18/fulham-keen-on-chuba-akpom/