Monday Fulham Stuff - 03/06/24...

[WhiteJC]

The Scotland starlet sidelined by three surgeries after freak injury and his desire to return to SPFL
The defender is now fully fit after incident at Cappielow led to more than year on sidelines

Injuries are the unfortunate trending word when it comes to Scotland players right now. Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, Lewis Ferguson and now Lyndon Dykes have hogged the headlines for all wrong reasons. Yet none of them are likely to go through the hell that young Connor McAvoy has experienced.

The 22-year-old centre-half is back in the Scotland Under-21 set-up, 19 months on from his last involvement when he played in a 2-1 defeat by Iceland at Fir Park in November 2022.

Highly-regarded at Fulham, a serious knee injury sustained while on loan at Partick Thistle in March last year has robbed him of more than a year of first-team football.

He has required three operations to get back to full fitness and had to endure the physical and mental agony of screws coming loose in his joint that were inserted to repair a medial knee ligament injury.

McAvoy suffered the injury at Cappielow in a match against Greenock Morton when an opposition player landed on top of him. He was stretchered off and has not played a senior match since. He desperately hopes to be involved for the 21s next week when they play two friendlies, away to Turkey on Monday and then Austria on Friday.

Speaking for the first time about the injury, McAvoy recalled: "I was on loan at Partick Thistle and I ruptured my MCL in my knee. Someone just fell on me and my foot was on the ground and my knee collapsed inwards.

"It was just a real accident and nothing could be done. I had to have surgery to repair that, but the surgery didn't go to plan. During rehab the screws they used to repair it came loose in my knee, so I had to get another surgery to repair that. It caused more damage to my knee so it put me back eight or nine months.

"I had complications, I had to start again from square one. It was actually worse the second time. I had to work all through the summer, Christmas time, got back on the grass, running, played a game or two and then just had pain in my knee.

"I had to get a third operation to clear some stuff up. I'd say from mid-March I've had no issues at all. It was the first time I've felt pretty good about it."

The nature of the injury and what happened afterwards, with the screws coming loose in his knee, was freakish, but also left McAvoy's career up in the air. "It was no one's fault and they told me there was less than a one per cent chance of it happening but it happened," he continued. "It took me a while to get my head round that.

"I had a few chats with the physios and, although retirement wasn't on the cards, it was a possibility because of how serious it was. But I never had a thought about that. I took it week by week and made progress and the strength was getting better. So it never really crossed my mind because I knew if I worked hard enough I would be fine."

McAvoy speaks with admirable maturity on such a devastating subject. Fulham think highly of a player who has been in their ranks since he was eight years old. Born in Staines, McAvoy qualifies for Scotland through his father, Gordon, a passionate Scot who was born in Paisley – "I don't really have a choice when it comes to Scotland, I am never going to disappoint him, am I," smiled his son.

There is a mental toughness to McAvoy since the injury, and you can see he has worked so hard on his rehab. He looks ready for action and knows he has the strength to cope with whatever comes next in his career.

"You ask anyone that has had injuries, it's not just bad that comes with it, you get mentally stronger," McAvoy mused. "For me personally, where I was at in my career, I needed something like going on loans to push myself and get that mental side of the game.

"Technically at Fulham, it's quite a good academy. I'm not going to face anything harder than that, I don't think. I feel like it's set me up for the rest of my career to manage failures and disappointments quite well. Touch wood nothing comes of that calibre again!"

McAvoy has one more year left on his contract at Craven Cottage and knows the path to the first team is littered with obstacles. Despite suffering such trauma in the SPFL, he is very open to a loan move north for next season.

"I have not spoken to Fulham about my plan but in my mind, I want to go on loan again," he stated. "I need men's football to get game-time – I don't really mind at what level. I want to play consistently to get that run of games. That's important.

"If I was going to go somewhere on loan I would be happy to come back here because I was enjoying it before what happened. I really enjoyed it at Thistle. I just want to go somewhere that I can play."

Before his injury, McAvoy was on the fringes of the Fulham set-up. The London club have established themselves as a Premier League club and the youngster is enjoying being a part of it. "I was training with the first team and doing well," he continued. "I went to Thistle and was in a good place and happy with my progress. So that was why the injury was so frustrating. Last season was probably my best season in terms of my development. The picture in my head I had of my career was starting to come together so that's what made it ten times harder because I could see myself following the pathway I had for myself."

If any player deserves a break, it's McAvoy. Don't be surprised to see him at a club up here by the end of the summer transfer window.



https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/the-scotland-starlet-sidelined-by-three-surgeries-after-freak-injury-and-his-desire-to-return-to-spfl-4650191

[WhiteJC]

Fulham ready bid to sign Arsenal 23yo
Fulham are planning to bid for Emile Smith Rowe early in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

The Telegraph report that Fulham have made Emile Smith Rowe a priority signing for the summer transfer window, and they're ready to bid for the Arsenal midfielder early on.

Fulham boss Marco Silva is keen to bolster his attacking options, and Smith Rowe is high on the club's recruitment agenda.

Arsenal are open to offers for a number of fringe players this summer, with Smith Rowe seemingly among them, and The Telegraph believe Fulham are set to lead the race for him.

With Smith Rowe having broken through at Arsenal as an academy player, the report highlights that his sale would represent pure profit for the club.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
If the Gunners could secure a good fee, it would give them a lot of financial flexibility this summer.

Recent reports suggested Arsenal were set to hold talks with Smith Rowe over his future, but it seems likely those conversations will conclude that an exit is for the best.

Smith Rowe didn't receive regular minutes this season, and he's a talented player who should command plenty of interest around the Premier League. A move could work for all parties.

Arsenal are reportedly likely to sell either Smith Rowe or Fabio Vieira this summer, depending on which one of the two commands the better offers.

Charles Watts recently wrote that he'd be surprised if both players go this summer, and Smith Rowe is the more likely of the two as it stands.

Vieira played 470 minutes for Arsenal's first team this season, scoring once and assisting three goals, as well as scoring the winning penalty in the 2023 Community Shield.

Smith Rowe played 474 minutes for Arsenal, providing a couple of assists.



https://dailycannon.com/2024/06/fulham-smith-rowe-bid/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham make Arsenal star their top summer target with Gunners ready to sell
Fulham have made Emile Smith Rowe their top summer transfer target with Arsenal ready to sell the attacking midfielder.

Smith Rowe broke into the Gunners side following loan spells at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield but has struggled for game time over the last two seasons.

Having also suffered knee and ankle injuries, the England international was limited to just three starting appearances in the Premier League last season, making a further 10 off the bench for Mikel Arteta's title-chasing team.

Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for a number of fringe players this summer with Smith Rowe among them. The Daily Telegraph report Fulham are eager to bring him across the capital to Craven Cottage with Marco Silva eager to strengthen his attacking options.

Smith Rowe was previously targeted by Aston Villa with Chelsea making an offer for the 23-year-old last summer before eventually turning their attention to Cole Palmer.

His last start for the Gunners was the 2-0 win over Luton in April with Arteta singling him out for special praise following the win.

'I was really impressed with him,' Arteta said of Smith Rowe. 'He has been training really well and we felt the game could suit us.

'I love him as a player, it is a joy to watch how he moves and how he changes direction. He was physical today without the ball, he wanted to make things happen. It was difficult to stop him and he helped us a lot to win the game.

Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney and Eddie Nketiah are also among the players who could be moved on this summer with Arteta looking to refresh his squad after narrowly missing out on the title.

Ramsdale lost his place in goal to David Raya during that campaign with Newcastle United interested in signing the England shot stopper.

However, the Magpies are not prepared to meet Arsenal's £30m asking price.

Arsenal are hoping to bring in at least three new players in the coming months with Benjamin Sesko their top target up front.



https://metro.co.uk/2024/06/02/fulham-make-arsenal-star-top-summer-target-gunners-ready-sell-20955875/?ito=newsnow-feed

[WhiteJC]

London rivals set to submit bid for 23-year-old Arsenal ace soon
Fulham are keen on signing the Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe during the summer transfer window.

According to a report from the Telegraph, they have made the 23-year-old attacking midfielder a priority target and they are set to submit an offer to sign the midfielder early on in the window.

Marco Silva is looking to add more quality to his attacking unit and Smith Rowe could prove to be a quality long-term accusation. The 23-year-old barely featured for Arsenal this season starting just three games in the league. He needs to play more often at this stage of his career and Arsenal are unlikely to be able to provide him with that opportunity.

The Gunners have Martin Odegaard starting in his role and Smith Rowe will be a backup for the club if he stays. The 23-year-old needs to move on and play regularly at another club. A move to Fulham could be ideal for him. Regular game time at the London club will help him regain his confidence and form. He will have plenty of opportunities to join a big club in the future if he manages to get back to his best.

Smith Rowe would improve Fulham
Smith Rowe was regarded as one of the finest young talents in the Premier League prior to his injury blow. If he manages to get back to that level, he could be a phenomenal long-term acquisition for Fulham.

Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for a number of players this summer and Smith Rowe will be sold if the right offer is presented. It remains to be seen whether the two clubs can iron out an agreement in the coming weeks. The 23-year-old midfielder is capable of operating as a central attacking midfielder as well as a winger. He will add goals and creativity to the Fulham attack.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/06/02/fulham-submit-bid-arsenal-emile-smith-rowe/

[WhiteJC]

Emile Smith Rowe made 'priority' as Arsenal star closes in on transfer exit

Fulham are ready to make an early move for Emile Smith Rowe, who they've identified as a priority target, as the midfielder's Arsenal minutes continue to be at a premium


Emile Smith Rowe is on Fulham's radar this summer

 Fulham have made landing Emile Smith Rowe a summer priority and are ready to lodge an early bid for the Arsenal star.

Smith Rowe has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates and Cottagers boss Marco Silva has spots in his squad that need filling. Arsenal are open to listening to offers for several players as they look to invest in their own playing group.

 Smith Rowe, as well as the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah, are likely to court interest as they seek extra minutes. Fulham believe the playmaker can help aid their ambitions after securing successive mid-table finishes since promotion back to the top-flight, reports the Telegraph.

The 23-year-old Arsenal academy graduate only had three Premier League starts last term, making 10 more appearances from the bench. He also suffered knee and ankle injuries during the campaign, which hampered his progress.

Any possible sale would represent pure profit for Arsenal from a profit-and-sustainability point of view. Smith Rowe has two seasons left on his contract, which was signed in 2021, with Aston Villa among those previously keen on the former England international.

Mikel Arteta, who has been unable to find a regular place for the versatile midfielder, said at one point last season: "I love him as a player, he is a joy to watch.

"How he moves, changes direction and how physical he was without the ball. He went into duels and won a lot of them and was thinking with that killer instinct to play forward and make things happen. When Emile is in that moment, it's very difficult to stop him."

Fulham's desire to land Smith Rowe comes with Willian weighing up Bosman offers from Saudi Arabia, while Bobby De Cordova-Reid is also out of contract but has been given an offer to stay at Craven Cottage.

The west London outfit have continued to invest since their promotion. 12 months ago Fulham landed the likes of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Timothy Castagne. Joao Palhinha was signed two years ago but was on Bayern Munich's radar last summer and the Portuguese star is set to be the subject of interest once again.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-fulham-emile-smithrowe-future-32942459

[WhiteJC]

Premier League rivals make Arsenal player Mikel Arteta 'loves' their transfer 'priority'
Emile Smith Rowe has had another difficult season after falling down the pecking order and could pursue regular football elsewhere

Fulham have reportedly made Emile Smith Rowe a priority signing ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old, following on from a challenging 2022/23 campaign, made minimal appearances this season. He played just a total of 474 minutes and made 13 Premier League appearances.

Competition for places is rife with Declan Rice, Jorginho, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey all ahead of him in the pecking order. With that said, the club may look at considering offers for the midfielder despite Mikel Arteta still being a huge fan of him.

The Gunners boss previously said: "I love him as a player, he is a joy to watch. How he moves, changes direction and how physical he was today without the ball. He went into duels and won a lot of them and was thinking with that killer instinct to play forward and make things happen.

"When Emile is in that moment, it's very difficult to stop him. Today he helped us a lot to win the game."

The Telegraph reports that Smith Rowe is high on Fulham's recruitment agenda and the Cottagers would be ready to bid early in the window, which is set to open on June 14. Willian is said to be attracting interest from Saudi Arabia while Bobby De Cordova-Reid is out of contract but has been offered a nw deal.

The report adds that Arsenal will listen to offers to a number of fringe players this summer, with Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah as players who could also move on for regular football.

Smith Rowe came through Arsenal's academy, joining the club at the age of ten. After progressing through the youth ranks, he made his debut for the first team in 2018 against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League.

He still has two years left on his contract after extending his stay in 2021. A sale would help Arsenal balance the books from a Profit and Sustainability perspective.



https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/premier-league-rivals-make-arsenal-29279497

[WhiteJC]

Silva seeks Smith Rowe swoop
Marco Silva has made Arsenal winger Emile Smith Rowe a top summer transfer target, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

Mike McGrath claims that the England international is the head coach's highest priority as Fulham look to add younger left wing options. Smith Rowe, 23, is available for sale this summer with the Gunners ready to cash in their homegrown talent and Silva sees the Croydon-born creator as an intriguing prospect with the Whites waiting to see whether Willian will stay at Craven Cottage.

The fact that Smith Rowe could also operate as a number ten would give Silva an alternative to Brazilian number ten Andreas Pereira. But the Cottagers will have to beat a host of continental clubs to Smith Rowe's signature, with Napoli keen on taking him to Italy. He made nineteen first-team appearances during an injury-hit 2023/2024 campaign at the Emirates Stadium, but rejected the chance to join West Ham United on loan in January.

Smith Rowe has scored eighteen goals in 115 appearances for Arsenal and has won three senior international caps for his country, finding the target for Gareth Southgate's side in San Marino in November 2021. He was part of the England under-21 side that won the European Championship last summer and is believed to be ready to leave his boyhood club for regular first-team football.

He has already scored at Craven Cottage, having found the net for Huddersfield Town as Danny Cowley's side threatened to overturn a 3-0 deficit in February 2020. Smith Rowe has also spent time on loan at RB Leipzig, but much will depend on whether can negotiate an acceptable price for his services with Arsenal, who are eager to maximise PSR profits by offloading a number of homegrown talents this summer.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/06/silva-seeks-smith-rowe-swoop/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham face competition from Napoli and fellow Premier League club for Arsenal star
Fulham are set to face competition from Napoli and Aston Villa for the signing of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal, according to reports.

The Cottagers have been heavily linked with the 23-year-old recently and are understood to be making him their 'priority target' this summer.

Smith Rowe is likely to seek a move away from his boyhood club this summer as he finds himself behind Martin Odegaard in the battle to be Arsenal's starting attacking midfielder.

Although disrupted by injury, Smith Rowe was limited to just 13 Premier League appearances last season, while only four of his 19 outings across all competitions came from the start.

Nevertheless, Smith Rowe's 2021/22 Premier League campaign where he notched 10 goals and two assists still lives fresh in the memory and there's no doubt the three-time England international could yet become a star if given consistent minutes.

Fulham to face competition for Smith Rowe signature
Although Marco Silva is keen to add Smith Rowe to his attacking unit, it may be tough for the Cottagers to convince the midfielder to make the move.

According to a report from talkSPORT, Italian giants Napoli are looking to bring Smith Rowe on board as part of their summer rebuild after dropping to 10th in Serie A just a year after winning the title.

Aston Villa are also understood to be admirers of Smith Rowe, although they would have to sell players first in order to fund any summer spending.

But if Unai Emery can offload some squad members, there's no doubt he will hold an edge in negotiations given he can offer Champions League football.

Smith Rowe also made nine appearances for Arsenal during Emery's tenure across the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns, scoring three goals.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/06/02/fulham-transfer-news-competition-emile-smith-rowe-napoli-aston-villa/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham offer new deal to left-footed Nigerian midfielder
Allnigeriasoccer.com has been told that Premier League club Fulham have offered a new contract to left-footed Nigerian midfielder Chibby Nwoko.

Nwoko has entered the last four weeks of his contract and the Cottagers are eager to tie down the promising teenager to a new contract ahead of the start of pre-season preparations.

The 18-year-old has played nonstop at Fulham since his arrival at the club from Chelsea at U12 level.

Two years after signing a scholarship deal with Fulham, Nwoko will put pen to paper on his first professional contract if he accepts the offer from the London team.

He has been described as a versatile player who can play anywhere in midfield but has been more regularly used as a midfield enforcer because of his ability to dictate the pace of games with his calmness on the ball.

In the recently concluded season, Nwoko represented Fulham in the U18 Premier League, FA Youth Cup, Premier League 2, Premier League Cup and Premier League International Cup.

Nwoko, who registered four goals in all competitions last season, is expected to be promoted to Fulham's development squad on a full-time basis next term.

Although Nwoko has played for Engaland's Young Lions in friendly matches, it is understood that he is open to representing Nigeria if given the opportunity.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=51723

[WhiteJC]

Fulham mull Mengi move
Fulham have reignited their interest in Luton Town central defender Teden Mengi, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The Whites have watched the former Manchester United man throughout the campaign and were linked with a move for the 22 year-old in January. Marco Silva is keen to strengthen Fulham's defensive options, with Tosin Adarabioyo set to sign for Chelsea on a free transfer next week, and Mengi impressed as the Hatters' brave battle against relegation faltered in the final weeks of the campaign.

Mengi, who came through Manchester United's academy, made 35 appearances in his first season at Kenilworth Road but the former England under-21 international has a whole host of admirers including several Premier League sides and Bayer Leverkusen.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/06/fulham-mull-mengi-move/