Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 30/04/24...

[WhiteJC]

Kelvin Thomas on Marc Leonard and Kieron Bowie, summer transfer budget and Nigel Le Quesne's role
'We would buy Marc in a heartbeat if the numbers quoted in the media were accurate, no question.'

Cobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas addressed a number of topics during Thursday's Open Forum at Sixfields. Here are some of the highlights....

Replacing Leonard and Bowie
"We have done recruited good players before so we hope we can do it again. We think both players are looking to play in the Championship. We would buy Marc in a heartbeat if the numbers quoted in the media were accurate, no question, but he wants to play in the Championship which we respect. We are ambitious but we won't put the club at risk. We will do what we can within reason. We would never say we are something we are not and we will happily talk to any billionaire waiting in the wings! We are hopeful we can bring that type of quality of player in to the club again next season."

Transfer budget
"We started with a budget this season that we increased a few times as we went along and that won't go down. We will start the budget next season where we ended this season. Some long term injuries chewed up a lot of the budget this season and that will help. The reality is that the budget is never enough, whatever it is, you always want more. Some clubs are spending more money than us, but we are competing with and sometimes beating those clubs and that is something that Jon and the players deserve huge credit for. We will never be the biggest spenders in this league and nor should we be in the interests of the club's stability but we will always give our all and compete. Don't forget that the Marc Leonard and Kieron Bowie we have today are not the same players we signed. Both have improved immeasurably given the time and space and the developing we have done with them and that is a something we should remember."

Out of contract players
"In terms of players we want who are out of contract, we will make offers. Some may take them, some may decide to look around, but that's football. We are relaxed with where we are, we will deal with whatever the summer brings and we will work hard to keep moving forward – that's natural evolution."

Nigel Le Quesne
"It came about through a random conversation at an event. A friend of mine got talking to Nigel and we were put in touch and it went from there. He has been looking at a few clubs and been approached by a few clubs but this felt the right fit. He brings finances to the club, his business acumen is something we will lean on, we have a shared view that anything he gets involved in he wants to make better as do we, and our discussions are getting more in depth. He is a great guy, a very nice man, he knows and loves his football and we will see how it evolves."

Games on Sky next season
"There will be more coverage and more games shown live in League One, five games will be chosen every weekend from a combination of Leagues One and Two. The EFL have said they will give notice to fans of any changes, months at a time, and we have been told to expect a game will be moved for live TV on average every 6 weeks for a club in League One and there will be a fair spread of coverage across the clubs in the league."



https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/kelvin-thomas-on-marc-leonard-and-kieron-bowie-summer-transfer-budget-and-nigel-le-quesnes-role-4608771

[WhiteJC]

Paul Merson says there's a team aside from Tottenham who 'might hurt' Man City in their title run-in
Paul Merson believes one team could hurt Manchester City in the Premier League title run-in apart from Tottenham Hotspur.

Micah Richards has claimed Ange Postecoglou's side could "give Man City problems" in one of their remaining league games before the end of the season.

However, it seems like the consensus is that apart from Tottenham, no team has a chance of stopping City from potentially winning the title.

However, if there is a league where such assumptions cannot be made, it is the Premier League.

For instance, when Pep Guardiola's men lost to Wolves 2-1 at the Molineux Stadium, the result was unexpected.

Some might attribute Rodri's absence as the primary reason why City lost on the day but the visitors were made to struggle by Gary O'Neil's side, both offensively and defensively.

Paul Merson says one team apart from Tottenham "might hurt" Man City
At the Etihad Stadium, with the Spaniard expected to start, Manchester City will be fancied to win and rightfully so.

But football works in strange ways and ultimately, Wolves are a quality team.

Some might assume that Gary O'Neil and Co. will be on the beach in footballing terms and will have no onus to get a result.

However, that might be a naïve line of thinking.

Players and managers have far too much professional pride not to try to win a game of football.

Similarly, Fulham will also be determined to make a statement against Manchester City as Paul Merson expects them to be a team that could potentially trouble the Premier League champions in their title run-in.

"Fulham, nice team. Fulham, on their day, I think Fulham's their game, I think Fulham's the one. Fulham is a team that might hurt them, good footballing team, Willian, who can have a good game, the lad up front, I think they're the team", he said on Sky Sports.

"I think if you give them the chance today that they [Nottingham Forest] had, they could cause you problems."

Manchester City will know how tough a test Fulham can pose
In the previous outing between both sides, Erling Haaland struck a hat-trick in a game that ended 5-1 in City's favour.

But at home last season, it took a last-gasp penalty from City's number nine for a 10-man City side to get over the line.

Away from home in the 2022/2023 campaign, the Sky Blues looked like they were holding on to their lead as the Cottagers were trying their best to get an equaliser in a game that also ended 2-1 for the visitors.

However, Paul Merson does have a point as in the two games before that clash, Manchester City narrowly beat Fulham 2-1.

Fulham tend to have a rocking atmosphere at Craven Cottage and even if Manchester City beat them, a tough game can be expected, as Paul Merson stated.



https://www.manchestercity.news/paul-merson-says-theres-a-team-fulham-apart-from-tottenham-who-might-hurt-man-city-in-title-run-in/

[WhiteJC]

Brighton and Fulham shared same transfer mission at weekend – Big interest in specific club
Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham both sen representatives to Portugal at the weekend, the local media says.

Newspaper A Bola writes that the Seagulls and Whites both had scouts at the league match between Porto and Sporting on Sunday.

Such a decisive game was undoubtedly a great showcase to find some summer targets, and that's certainly what Brighton and Fulham were doing there.

Porto were the first to show their strength, opening up a 2-0 lead with goals from Evanilson and Pepê. Then Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres showed why he's one of the most hyped players in Europe right now, and scored two goals to equalise the match and nearly give the Lions the league title.

The exciting factor about those scouting missions is that it remains completely unclear who Brighton and Fulham could be watching in that game, and it should be no surprise if both clubs come after a Porto player in the summer. That's because recent reports had already claimed that Brighton saw the Dragons' game against Vitória Guimarães, while the Whites were present at their draw against Famalicão.

With Sporting about to win the league title, though, we can't ignore the fact they have plenty of talent in their squad as well. It was recently said that Fulham were one of the clubs who tried to sign Gyokeres from Coventry City before he joined the Lions, but with his 40 goals in Portugal this season, it's hard to imagine Marco Silva's side winning the battle for him this time.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/brighton-fulham-shared-transfer-mission-weekend-big-interest-specific-club/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham now expected to 'come knocking' to sign attacker – Would be a Premier League return
According to a claim in the Turkish media Fulham are interested in signing Galatasaray winger Wilfried Zaha ahead of the next transfer window.

The Ivory Coast international looks surplus to requirements with the Super Lig side despite only joining them last summer.

Takvim have today reported on the latest situation regarding Zaha's future in Istanbul following a week of speculation about his future. Galatasaray are looking to offload some players this summer in order to bring in new recruits and Zaha has been named as one of the players they will reportedly sell.

The Turkish news outlet say Fulham will 'come knocking on the door' at the end of the season for the former Crystal Palace attacker, as Marco Silva looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.

There's no details on what Fulham are prepared to offer for Zaha, but given he joined Galatasaray on a free transfer they can still make a good profit from a relatively low fee.

Since signing for the Turkish league leaders, Zaha has made 27 appearances, scoring nine goals. The 31 year old attacker is contracted to the club until June 2026.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-now-expected-come-knocking-sign-attacker-premier-league-return/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 'considering move for Galatasaray forward'
Fulham are reportedly interested in signing Galatasaray forward Wilfried Zaha this summer.

Zaha joined Galatasaray on a free transfer last summer after he decided against renewing his contract with Crystal Palace.

After spending the majority of his career with the Eagles, the 31-year-old was seemingly enticed by the opportunity to compete in the Champions League for the first time in his career.

Zaha featured in all six Champions League group games, before Galatasaray dropped down to the Europa League where they were eliminated by Sparta Prague in the knockout-round playoffs.

Although his European journey came to an end, Zaha is now on the verge of winning a league title for the first time in his career, with Galatasaray sitting four points clear at the top of the Turkish Super Lig table.

Fulham lining up move for Zaha
Zaha has made a useful contribution to Galatasaray's title bid, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 27 league appearances.

However, he has struggled to gain a regular place in Okan Buruk's lineup, having started in just 13 league matches this season.

According to Turkish outlet Takvim, Galatasaray are willing to part ways with the Ivory Coast international after just one season.

The report claims that Fulham are likely to make a move and offer Zaha a Premier League return ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

While Galatasaray are open to Zaha's departure, it is currently unclear what their asking price is for a player under contract until June 2026.

Fulham looking for attacking reinforcements
The Cottagers may have to strengthen their wide options this summer, depending on the contract situations of Willian and Bobby Decordova-Reid.

Both players are out of contract at the end of the season and will leave on free transfers if they fail to agree new deals with the club.

Zaha would add quality to Fulham's wide areas, while also offering another centre-forward option due to his ability to play through the middle.

The 31-year-old would also provide plenty of Premier League experience, having featured in over 300 matches in the English top flight, registering 68 goals and 28 assists.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/fulham-considering-move-for-galatasaray-forward_542508.html?newsnow

[WhiteJC]

'Decision made' - Newcastle United & Man Utd target left out of squad ahead of summer transfer
Newcastle United transfers: Premier League defender Tosin Adarabioyo is set to leave Fulham this summer.

Newcastle United transfer target Tosin Adarabioyo is set to leave Fulham when his contract expires this summer.

The 26-year-old has been offered a new deal at Craven Cottage but will reportedly leave the club on a free transfer with several Premier League sides interested. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Adarabioyo has informed the club he will not be signing a new deal with his 'final decision made'.

The centre-back, who has played 129 games for Fulham since his arrival from Manchester City in 2020, has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United as well as Newcastle. The Magpies have targeted Adarabioyo and AFC Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly as bargain defensive options this summer with both players set to be available to sign for free.

After informing the club of his decision to leave, Adarabioyo was not included in the matchday squad to face Crystal Palace over on Saturday. He had started Fulham's last nine Premier League matches prior to the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage over the weekend, including the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle earlier this month.

When asked if the defender would play for the club again, Cottagers boss Marco Silva said: "He can play. We have three games to play. If I decided, he would be on the pitch he would be. It will be my decision always.

"I'm looking for the present. I want to win football matches and be as competitive as we can be. At the same time, we have to prepare for the future of the football club."



https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/tosin-adarabioyo-newcastle-united-man-utd-target-left-out-of-squad-ahead-of-summer-transfer-4609966

[WindyCity]

As much as I've always liked Zaha, I hope these are just rumors and that FFC isn't really serious about pursuing......