Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 09/07/24...

[WhiteJC]

'Medical complete' - Fulham £47m transfer news adds pressure to Man Utd deal
Bayern Munich have long been linked with transfer interest in Fulham star Joao Palhinha.

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is reported to have completed a medical at Bayern Munich over the weekend after Portugal were booted out of Euro 2024 by France.

The 28-year-old had played a key part in his nation's efforts at the tournament but Roberto Martinez's side were defeated in the quarter finals by France as the match went to penalties.

Palhinha has been the subject of multiple bids from Bayern Munich this summer having nearly completed a move to the German giants last summer. That deal collapsed at the last minute a year ago with Fulham unable to find a replacement for the player.

Palhinha went on to make 39 appearances in all competitions over the 2023/24 season as he turned in an impressive campaign for the Premier League club. Earlier this summer, it had been reported that the midfielder had agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich but Fulham had rejected bids.

Palhinha made it clear that he wanted to leave the club when speaking at a press conference in Germany and now appears to have got his way. The Daily Mail report that the midfielder completed a medical at Bayern Munich over the weekend ahead of a £47 million switch.

That deal would represent a club record sale for Fulham. The club must now focus on finding a replacement for the midfielder, who has been such a vital player for Marco Silva. The Cottagers have been named as frontrunners to sign Manchester United man Scott McTominay in recent weeks.

West Ham and Newcastle United are also said to be interested in the Red Devils man but Fulham are already readying a bid as Palhinha moves away from the London club.

McTominay has been with Manchester United since 2002 and any sale would represent a healthy profit for the club, with the 27-year-old seemingly deemed surplus to requirements by Erik ten Hag.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/medical-complete-fulham-ps47m-transfer-news-adds-pressure-to-man-utd-deal-4694150

[WhiteJC]

Four centre-backs to fill Fulham's defensive void

Cameron Donaldson looks at some potential recruits to bolster our thinning defensive ranks

As another day of the transfer window passes, the issue of our centre-backs becomes more pressing. The Whites currently only have Tim Ream, Calvin Bassey, and Issa Diop as the senior centre-backs. With Ream being heavily linked with a return to the MLS it's possible that a few weeks we'll have just two senior centre-backs on our books with no impending arrivals to fill the void. So, in a bid to stem my impending panic, here are four CBs we should target this summer – some have already been rumoured, and some haven't.

Trevoh Chalobah
This has been the longest running CB rumour of the close season. 24-year-old Chalobah was deployed 17 times by Mauricio Pochettino last season and predominantly played as a right-sided centre-half, with the ability to deputise at right-back and as a defensive midfielder.

He became a key cog in the Chelsea system towards the end of the season, with assured and mature displays in an unstable Chelsea side. Should a deal be struck, a fee of around £25m has been indicated, representing a sizeable investment for Fulham, however one that could provide defensive stability in the long term as he's still young.

This is a deal that Fulham should look to explore, however with the passing of the PSR deadline, a deal for Chalobah will become less likely as it will not provide Chelsea with any important profit to keep in line with profit and sustainability rules.

Teden Mengi
Another player linked is Teden Mengi of Luton Town. Mengi joined the Hatters from Manchester United last summer and played 35 times, scoring one goal as they were narrowly relegated from the Premier League, with many of their displays capturing the admiration of opposition fans.

The 22-year-old adapted well to the side, making many key defensive interventions and providing assurance in the backline on the most part, however sometimes losing concentration and making an error or two that proved to be detrimental to the team's progress. Overall, the 22-year-old was a solid performer and, similar to Chalobah, Mengi would be able to fill in on the right-hand side of the defence for a long period of time if bought for a suitable fee, however he may need some coaching from Marco Silva to ensure he is consistently playing with the maturity and concentration required in the Premier League.

Kevin Danso
Ex-Southampton centre-back Danso hasn't been rumoured to join the club, but he's a player who'd would fit the bill. The 25-year-old represents Lens in Ligue 1, making 30 appearances and playing 87% of the minutes for his team last season, scoring one goal as the side finished seventh in the league.

Danso has also gained admiration for his defensive displays at EURO 2024 for the Austrian national team, as they finished top of a group consisting of France, The Netherlands and Poland, before bowing out to a terrific display from Turkey in the round of 16. Danso is a combative presence and a ball-playing centre-back valued at €25m by TransferMarkt and would represent a sensible investment should the player want to move back to England.

Joel Matip
It's important to note that for a club like Fulham investing in a specific area of the pitch, we wont be able to spend £25m on each centre-back we recruit with an eye to investment in other areas, so suggesting a name or two who could provide depth and fill in when required is crucial, and Joel Matip could provide this.

The 32-year-old has just been released by Liverpool, having played 10 games last season and conceding eight goals and keeping three clean sheets, with an estimated 1.38 tackles and 1.15 interceptions for every 90 minutes that he completed. Although this would not be a signing of ambition, this could be important as Matip would be able to use his experience gained at Liverpool to help in and around the squad and although he shouldn't be played in too many games, he should be able to deputise when required. This signing would represent an improvement on the likes of Shane Duffy and would fill in for some of the experience that Tim Ream may leave.

Overall, the centre-back situation isn't looking overly promising for the Whites at this stage with no concrete steps in improving the position and further exits forecast. But it's far too early to worry.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2024-07-08-four-centre-backs-to-fill-fulhams-defensive-void/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham and Nottingham Forest flops told they must train with the reserves
It is that time of year where decisions need to be made about the future of players who spent last season out on loan.

Italian giants AC Milan have a number of players too who appear to be viewed as little more than a drain on the Rossoneri's resources.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the legendary former striker who now works as a senior advisor on behalf of Milan's RedBird owners, opened up this week on the future of two players who spent the 2023/24 season on loan away from the San Siro.

Milan duo struggled at Fulham and Nottingham Forest
Fode Ballo-Toure had a year at Fulham. Divock Origi, meanwhile, enjoyed – or maybe endured is a more fitting description – nine months with Nottingham Forest.

And, speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Ibrahimovic made it clear that – unless Ballo-Toure and Origi find themselves permanent moves – they will be forced to train with Milan's reserves rather than with Paulo Fonseca's first-team squad.

"Origi and Ballo-Toure will play for 'Milan Futuro'," Ibrahimovic explains. "Because they are not part of the first team project."

The chances of Nottingham Forest triggering the £4 million purchase clause in Origi's contract look slim in the extreme, per Sempre Milan. The former Liverpool, Wolfsburg and Lille frontman scored only once in 22 appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo's side.

Left-back Ballo-Toure, meanwhile, played only 67 minutes of Premier League football. With Antonee Robinson firmly established as Marco Silva's first-choice in the position, Ballo-Toure barely got a look in.

Fulham confirmed via their official website that Ballo-Toure would not be retained.

According to Gianluca di Marzio, a new opportunity could present itself with Watford in England's second tier.

Origi, meanwhile, has not hit the heights since scoring that decisive second goal in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 Champions League final. His spell at Milan has been nothing short of a disaster.

Former Liverpool man facing uncertain future
Forest legend Garry Birtles was seriously unimpressed with the Belgian's performance in Garibaldi Red, with one dismal display in a 2-2 draw with Wolves coming to mind.

"I was right in line with it on the edge of the penalty area and I just couldn't believe what he did there, Birtles told the Forest Focus podcast after Origi wasted the chance to win the game as he overhit a simple pass for Chris Wood.

"It was just embarrassing. It wasn't even difficult to do what he had to do. Again, he took one touch too many. Wood has got himself into a great area and the pace on the ball was just ridiculous, it beat everybody and it wasn't even close.

"At that level, you've got to question Origi again. He just can't perform for us for some reason.

"That's a basic simple error, pass across the goal to win the game and he couldn't do it."



https://www.hitc.com/fulham-and-nottingham-forest-flops-told-they-must-train-with-the-reserves/

[WhiteJC]

Player has 'attracted attention' from Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham – Premier League spell earns him suitors
Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham United have all shown an interest in Jacon Bruun Larsen after his loan spell at Burnley last season.

That's according to Kicker, who report that the Premier League trio are among several suitors in England for the 25-year-old.

Larsen spent last season on loan at Burnley and made 36 appearances in all competitions, managing seven goals in total.

That's earned him attention from the Premier League, where several sides have all been credited with an interest in him this summer.

West Ham were said to be admirers back in May and Crystal Palace and Fulham can now be added to the list according to Kicker.

They report that Bruun Larsen has 'attracted attention' from the Premier League trio as he looks set to leave Hoffenheim this summer.

They mention their interest in regard to potential competition for VfB Stuttgart, who are looking at the former Burnley loanee as a potential replacement for Chris Führich should he leave courtesy of a €22m release clause in his current contract.

The German side are yet to move for Larsen, they simply have him on a list of potential targets, the same as Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham.

The former could certainly do with signing a new winger as Michael Olise is joining Bayern Munich, while Marco Silva's side also let Bobby De Cordova-Reid leave this summer so could do with a replacement for him.

The Hammers make less sense, but they are building the squad out for new manager Julen Lopetegui and perhaps that includes adding a winger.

At the moment it seems Bruun Larsen is just a name to keep an eye on, with his time at Burnley seemingly doing enough to convince other Premier League sides.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-attracted-attention-crystal-palace-fulham-west-ham-premier-league-spell-earns-suitors/

[WhiteJC]

Player still working with Fulham to seal exit – Contract signing delayed until agreement reached
Joao Palhinha's move to Bayern Munich is being held up as the midfielder still has final details to work on with Fulham.

That's according to Sky Sport Germany, who report that the Portugal star has already completed his medical at the German giants but is yet to sign his contract.

Bayern have returned for Palhinha this summer after their failed move for him last year, which famously collapsed on deadline day as Fulham failed to sign a replacement.

Vincent Kompany's side have moved quickly to get him this summer and according to Sky, the midfielder already completed a medical on Saturday after the two sides agreed a €46m plus bonuses deal.

He's yet to sign his contract with Bayern, though, and Sky report that is because the player's side still have to 'clarify details' with Fulham in order for his exit to go through.

There's no information provided on what these details may be, but they are holding up him signing his contract with Bayern and making his exit from Craven Cottage official.

The deal is done for all intents and purposes, however, and the Fulham man is expected to become Bayern's second signing of the summer sooner rather than later.




http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-still-working-fulham-seal-exit-contract-signing-delayed-agreement-reached/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham player put in his place after comments – Comes back to bite
Last week, prior to Brazil's match against Uruguay in the Copa América quarter-finals, Fulham star Andreas Pereira went a little too far when talking about his own team.

He claimed that with many Premier League players in their midfield, Brazil had a squad that Uruguay can only dream of. That didn't go down very well, with the opponents even using that in a motivational video for the match.

Well, that resulted with the Celeste winning the match on penalties. And ESPN now brings some quotes from Luis Suarez having a go at the Fulham player.

The Uruguayan star recalled that back when Pereira played at Flamengo, he used to be on the bench for Giorgian De Arrascaeta.

"To talk about Uruguay you have to have respect and know the history of Uruguay," said Suarez.

"And before saying that there are players who would like to be in the Brazilian national team... I'll tell you that the person who made that comment was a substitute for Giorgian De Arrascaeta, the best player in Brazilian football. So imagine what it's like for us to be touched like that."

Brazil indeed had a very disappointing campaign at the Copa América, especially because of a midfield which could rarely dominate any games and didn't create much. Pereira spent most of the tournament on the bench, and was of little help when being used in the second half in the last three matches. Now he should be focused on getting some rest and being ready for a good season with Fulham.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-player-put-place-comments-comes-back-bite/

[WhiteJC]

Mongolia's Cultural Diplomacy Brings New Deals With Fulham FC, BBC
Mongolia is thinking outside the box in its attempts to diversify its economy, especially by promoting the tourism sector.

Two new partnerships with a London-based Premier League football club and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) highlight Ulaanbaatar's multi-pillared approach to promoting cultural diplomacy in a bid to increase economic diversity and tourism.

In recent years, the United Kingdom and Mongolia have paid close attention to cultural relations. The partnership took a new step forward in early June, when Mongolia announced its partnership with the Fulham Football Club, the oldest team in London. The partnership entails sporting events, national branding, and aims to increase tourism.

The English Premier League is the most-watched sporting league in the world and is no stranger to Mongolian fans. Fulham's managers and players are worth tens of millions of pounds. To Mongolia's young and active population, having a direct partnership with a globally recognized league is an exciting development.

Moreover, as part of Mongolia's strategy to boost tourism, the partnership with Fulham includes a year-long promotion of GoMongolia, a national tourism brand.

According to the Fulham FC press release, the chief executive officer of Fulham FC, Alistair Mackintosh, said: "We are delighted to welcome GoMongolia as an Official Partner for the forthcoming 2024/25 season. During the term of this partnership, we will work closely with the Ministry of Culture of Mongolia to assist them with achieving their objectives. We are excited to soon be unveiling the training kit range featuring the GoMongolia brand."

During the signing ceremony, former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer modeled the new training uniforms with the GoMongolia logo, and played football with the children in attendance.

The new partnership between Mongolia and Fulham FC illustrates Mongolia's efforts in diversifying its cultural relations while promoting a national brand, in the hopes of increasing tourism and global attraction.

In addition, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is partnering with Mongolia to showcase the country's tourism industry. The BBC launched "Meet Modern Mongolia," a travelog to highlight Mongolia's modern culture coupled with nomadic traditions. Furthermore, the BBC will stream documentaries, cultural events, and festivities to foster and increase Mongolia's visibility to businesses, tourists, and investors. The Mongolia-BBC partnership can introduce global audiences to Mongolia's history, culture, and modern society.

Previously the BBC partnered with Mongolian news site Gogo.mn to implement the 50:50 Equality Project, designed to increase women's representation in the media.

In order to diversify Mongolia's mining-dependent economy, the government and the private sector are required to think outside the box. Social media is also playing an a big part in Mongolia's efforts to attract more tourists. Mongolia's Ministry of Culture has utilized the social media digital space to promote and showcase cultural activities, national museums, and domestic and international events.

According to Statista, social media usage is expected to increase in Mongolia: "The Social Media Advertising market in Mongolia is projected to grow by 4.15 percent (2024-2028) resulting in a market volume of US$18.9m in 2028." Social media is part of the lifestyle of Mongolia's young population. Having been exposed to the world via famous platforms such as Meta, Instagram, TikTok, and X, the younger generation is closely attached to these new platforms. Hence, social media usage will continue to play an important role in Mongolia's economy and tourism, as well as the youth's engagement with the rest of the world.

From an economic perspective, Mongolia's recent partnerships with Fulham FC and the BBC can help catalyze a new turn in Mongolia's cultural diplomacy and soft power. With the digital transformation in mind, Mongolian officials and influencers are no longer tied to large-scale events to promote cultural activities. The new forms of Mongolia's cultural "soft power" look to strengthen ties with global partners while establishing a robust social media strategy to reach new audiences around the world. These creative partnerships enable Mongolia to reach and attract innovative industries, tourism, and businesses, in the hope of promoting economic diversification.



https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/mongolias-cultural-diplomacy-brings-new-deals-with-fulham-fc-bbc/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Arsenal Agree to Sell Midfielder to Fulham
Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe Set for Fulham Move as Transfer Nears Completion

As reported by TeamTalk, the transfer saga involving Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe and Fulham is nearing its conclusion, with the Cottagers preparing to submit a third and likely final bid for the midfielder. This development marks a significant shift in the career of a player once touted as a future star at the Emirates.

Smith Rowe's Journey and the Decision to Sell
Emile Smith Rowe's ascent at Arsenal was meteoric after breaking into the first team a few seasons ago, showcasing immense potential that hinted at a long-term role. However, a series of injuries has stunted his progress, coinciding with a period of rapid evolution at the club. Arsenal's midfield and attack have seen substantial reinforcements, with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz becoming central figures, limiting Smith Rowe's opportunities to make an impact.

This lack of game time has made the decision to sell somewhat inevitable for Arsenal. It's a move that, while tough, makes sense from a financial standpoint. With Smith Rowe's value estimated between £25m and £30m, his sale would not only bolster Arsenal's finances but also clear the way for new talent to cement their place in the squad.

Fulham's Persistent Pursuit
Fulham's interest in Smith Rowe is driven by manager Marco Silva's high regard for the player. Despite previous bids being rejected, Fulham's determination remains, underscored by their readiness to submit an improved offer. This persistence reflects both the player's perceived value and Fulham's ambition to strengthen their squad for Premier League challenges.

The Role of Strategic Transfers
Arsenal's strategy this transfer window has been clear: optimize the squad depth while balancing the books. The arrival of David Raya and ongoing negotiations for Riccardo Calafiori highlight the Gunners' intent to reinforce their lineup. Concurrently, leveraging academy graduates like Smith Rowe to boost financial flexibility illustrates a pragmatic approach to squad management in modern football.

What This Means for Smith Rowe
A move to Fulham could reignite Smith Rowe's career, offering him a platform to restore his trajectory in a supportive environment under Silva. For a player of his calibre, regular first-team football could be the catalyst needed to revisit the form that once made him one of the Premier League's brightest young talents.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth highlighted the inevitability of Smith Rowe's situation at Arsenal, stating, "He's just had a few injury problems at the wrong time for Arsenal, and has seen other players come in... Effectively, he's not going to be able to get back into the team on a regular basis." This move could offer him a fresh start and a chance to prove his undoubted abilities.

As both clubs edge closer to an agreement, the final terms remain to be confirmed. However, with both sides reportedly keen to conclude the deal, an announcement appears imminent.

This transfer, while ending Smith Rowe's chapter at Arsenal, opens a new one at Fulham, where he could very well become the cornerstone of Silva's project, illustrating the often cyclical nature of football careers.



https://eplindex.com/114719/report-arsenal-agree-to-sell-midfielder-to-fulham.html

[WhiteJC]

Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Florentino, Kadioglu
Marco Silva's squad is thinning, we need replacements and reinforcements, so here's another deep dive into the dizzying world of tabloid drivel and delight, compiled by Cam.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Besiktas JK
A report circulated by Sabah, quoted by Sport Witness, suggests that Fulham, Southampton and Sheffield United are all vying to capture Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, with a return to the English top flight being an obvious sweetener for two of the aforementioned three clubs.

He may only have been at Besiktas for one season, but Oxlade-Chamberlain has caught the eye of the Whites et al, and as he is only 30-years-of-age, the ex-Arsenal, Liverpool and England star would still be a particularly worthwhile signing. His exploits in Türkiye haven't been barnstorming, but he has been a solid performer for Kara Kartallar and if Silva's favouring versatility and Premier League experience in his recruitment programme, "The Ox" has it in spades.

Lamine Camara – FC Metz
Premier League duo Fulham and Everton – as per French publication Jeunes Footeux – are both apparently primed to snap-up Metz's 20-year-old central midfielder Lamine Camara. Metz were relegated from Ligue 1 last season and a switch across the English Channel could be the next step in the youngster's career.

Camara has been capped 23 times by Ivory Coast and he has scored 6 goals for his nation. A progressive midfielder, Camara joined Metz in February 2023 and he had become a mainstay within former Metz boss Laszlo Boloni's squad. With new management at the helm in Stéphane Le Mignan, though, a summer clear-out could be imminent and Camara would certainly help the club raise suitable funds, which will be crucial to their stabilisation in Ligue 2 next term.

Jhon Duran – Aston Villa
Chelsea will apparently be rivalled by Manchester United and Fulham in the pursuit of Aston Villa's Jhon Duran, according to Antena 2. While Villa qualified for the UEFA Champions League, they face no choice but to flog a host of their existing squad to appease PSR regulations and Duran could subsequently be on his way out of Villa Park for a proposed figure of €40m. Yikes.

The 20-year-old striker joined Villa from Chicago Fire in 2023's January transfer window and though Chelsea have supposedly enquired about the Colombia international, negotiations have seemingly stalled, and that paves an opening for both United and the Whites. Duran found the target 8 times in 37 overall outings last season but it's said Unai Emery isn't particularly convinced, despite the attacker's decent form at the back end of previous campaign. However at that inflated asking price, they can whistle for it.

Florentino Luis – SL Benfica
Now Joao Palhinha's protracted move to Bayern Munich has been finalised after much toing and froing, the Whites will be on the look-out for a replacement and GMS are under the impression that Benfica's Florentino Luis could be that guy.

It's not yet known what Benfica will want for Florentino but as his profile is similar to that of Palhinha's, they'll surely demand a pretty penny, and then some for their homegrown talent. Benfica endured one of their worst seasons in years last term, although the 24-year-old is still undoubtedly one of the club's brightest assets and his hard-hitting nature is definitely his USP. Silva's midfield will certainly need bolstering, it'll pine for ankle-clamping, chart-topping antics and Florentino could be the closest match to Joao, an enforcer that may well prove to be irreplaceable.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Olympique Lyonnais
It's TEAMtalk's understanding that Fulham are considering a summer swoop for Lyon's Ainsley Maitland-Niles, a year after the adaptable defender-come-midfielder swapped the Emirates for the Groupama Stadium once his Arsenal contract expired.

Utilised as a right-back and a defensive midfielder by Pierre Sage – roles the 26-year-old readily deputised at the Gunners – he chipped in both offensively and defensively, as any multi-skilled baller would. With 2 goals and 4 assist in 29 outings, Maitland-Niles acclimatised to the challenges of Ligue 1 nicely and he's also an ice-cold dispatcher from the penalty spot, too. Just ask Brest.

Premier League pedigree, comfortable in a range of positions, if AMN was available for a reasonable price, he'd do bits in Silva's system but I just don't see him leaving Les Gones anytime soon. Another year in France and then we'll see where the land lies.

Jacob Bruun Larsen – TSG Hoffenheim
Despite tasting relegation with Burnley last season whilst on loan from Hoffenheim, Jacob Bruun Larsen could still become a Premier League player once again as Kicker have revealed West ham United, Crystal Palace and Fulham are admirers of the Denmark international.

The renowned German publication also stated, however, that VfL Stuttgart are also in the chasing pack, and as they'll play Champions League football next term, they could actually be the more compelling suitor of the bunch.

The 25-year-old has also previously turned out for Stuttgart, too. Hoffenheim spent €8.5m on Bruun Larsen in 2020, but his career at the Sinsheim-based club has seemingly at a crossroads. He was one of Vincent Kompany's better performers last season, having scored 7 goals in 36 outings from the left flank predominantly, and as the Whites required additions out wide, Bruun Larsen could be a prime target of ours at a fairly reasonable sum.

Mustafa Hekimoglu – Besiktas JK
TRT Spor's News Manager Firat Gunayer has told that Fulham are interested in landing Besiktas JK's highly-rated 17-year-old striker Mustafa Hekimoglu.

Nothing much has been said about the Whites alleged interest in the Türkiye U18 representative but after breaking through at Besiktas last season, the teenager is gradually making waves in the senior game but truthfully, it is far too early for Silva to come knocking. Hekimoglu will need to earn his stripes for a full campaign first of all, and that's all that needs to be said on that.

Jack Hendry – Al-Ettifaq
Reported by Graeme Bailey for HITC, Fulham and West Ham are thought to be dicing with the prospect of signing Scotland's Jack Hendry from Steven Gerrard's Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq and I guess the one burning question we should all be asking ourselves with this in mind is why?

At 29, Hendry is not up-and-coming nor is he anywhere near suited to the Premier League. The much-travelled central defender – who has plied his trade at Wigan Athletic, Shrewsbury Town, MK Dons, Dundee FC, Celtic, Melbourne City FC, KV Oostende, Club Brugge, and Cremoneseto to name a few – isn't going to improve our selection and I don't think I'm being unfair in that observation. Leave him be and look elsewhere. Simple.

Jota Silva – Vitoria Guimaraes
Renowned Portuguese outlet O Jogo (via Tribal Football) have disclosed that Fulham now stand alone in the pursuit of Vitoria Guimaraes winger Jota Silva. The Whites were initially rivalled by West Ham for Silva's expertise but as the Hammers recently purchased Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme, the East Londoners are no longer in for Vitoria's productive wide man.

In all competitions last season, Silva, 24, bagged 15 goals with 7 assists in 42 runouts and while he's recognised as a right-sided threat, he's tried and tested in virtually every position across the final third. An all-out attacker, if you will. We'll apparently use money raised by Palhinha's imminent sale and while a figure is yet to be banded, it ain't likely to be peanuts.

Ferdi Kadioglu – Fenerbahce SK
You may not have recognised the name before Euro 2024 but I bet you know it now. Fenerbahce's Ferdi Kadioglu, subject to a report published by Milat Gazetesi, is on multiple transfer radars as a direct result of his exploits for Türkiye in Germany and alongside Arsenal and West Ham, Fulham have been referenced.

The Dutch-born left-back featured in every single one of his nation's European Championship matches and though they were recently beaten by Netherlands at the quarter final stage, Kadioglu can be hugely proud of his marauding input along the left as he was a stand-out participant.

Fenerbahce will accept nothing less than €35m for their brow-raising fullback because at club level, he is just as impressive as he is for Türkiye. He scored 3 goals last season, not too shabby for a "defender", and he also plated up 5 assists and with his qualities being illuminated even further this summer, another 10-20 million is bound to be added on top of his employers' estimation.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2024-07-08-transfer-rumour-round-up-oxlade-chamberlain-florentino-kadioglu/

[WhiteJC]

He's here to stay: João Palhinha set to sign a 4+1 contract at Bayern Munich per report
Transfer business is well and truly underway...

After making the signing of Michael Olise from Crystal Palace official, Bayern Munich have turned their attention to finalizing the signing of the club's next target: João Palhinha. Bayern and the player's (as of now) current club Fulham FC have agreed a transfer fee for the player and, now that his participation in the 2024 Euros has concluded, the Portuguese destroyer has even had the time to complete a medical in Munich. Therefore, Bayern will be looking to seal the deal...as soon as Palhinha returns to Munich.

See, Palhinha had to return to England in the meantime. Kerry Hau reports that Palhinha needs to clarify a few details with Fulham, with nothing else standing in the way now that the medical has been completed. Interestingly, Palhinha is reportedly set to sign a four-year contract with an option for another year. Considering he is set to turn 29-years-old before the start of the next season, Bayern likely would not have wanted to commit to a five-year contract.

After Bayern's attempts to sign Palhinha failed nearly an entire year ago, it seems the Bavarian giants have finally got the deal over the line.



https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2024/7/8/24194282/joao-palhinha-bayern-munich-fulham-fc-crystal-palace-michael-olise-portugal-euro-2024

[Fulham 442]

Fulham and Nottingham Forest flops told they must train with the reserves
It is that time of year where decisions need to be made about the future of players who spent last season out on loan.

Italian giants AC Milan have a number of players too who appear to be viewed as little more than a drain on the Rossoneri's resources.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the legendary former striker who now works as a senior advisor on behalf of Milan's RedBird owners, opened up this week on the future of two players who spent the 2023/24 season on loan away from the San Siro.

Milan duo struggled at Fulham and Nottingham Forest
Fode Ballo-Toure had a year at Fulham. Divock Origi, meanwhile, enjoyed – or maybe endured is a more fitting description – nine months with Nottingham Forest.

And, speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Ibrahimovic made it clear that – unless Ballo-Toure and Origi find themselves permanent moves – they will be forced to train with Milan's reserves rather than with Paulo Fonseca's first-team squad.

"Origi and Ballo-Toure will play for 'Milan Futuro'," Ibrahimovic explains. "Because they are not part of the first team project."

The chances of Nottingham Forest triggering the £4 million purchase clause in Origi's contract look slim in the extreme, per Sempre Milan. The former Liverpool, Wolfsburg and Lille frontman scored only once in 22 appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo's side.

Left-back Ballo-Toure, meanwhile, played only 67 minutes of Premier League football. With Antonee Robinson firmly established as Marco Silva's first-choice in the position, Ballo-Toure barely got a look in.

Fulham confirmed via their official website that Ballo-Toure would not be retained.

According to Gianluca di Marzio, a new opportunity could present itself with Watford in England's second tier.

Origi, meanwhile, has not hit the heights since scoring that decisive second goal in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 Champions League final. His spell at Milan has been nothing short of a disaster.

Former Liverpool man facing uncertain future
Forest legend Garry Birtles was seriously unimpressed with the Belgian's performance in Garibaldi Red, with one dismal display in a 2-2 draw with Wolves coming to mind.

"I was right in line with it on the edge of the penalty area and I just couldn't believe what he did there, Birtles told the Forest Focus podcast after Origi wasted the chance to win the game as he overhit a simple pass for Chris Wood.

"It was just embarrassing. It wasn't even difficult to do what he had to do. Again, he took one touch too many. Wood has got himself into a great area and the pace on the ball was just ridiculous, it beat everybody and it wasn't even close.

"At that level, you've got to question Origi again. He just can't perform for us for some reason.

"That's a basic simple error, pass across the goal to win the game and he couldn't do it."



https://www.hitc.com/fulham-and-nottingham-forest-flops-told-they-must-train-with-the-reserves/

As others have said on another thread I liked the look of FBR whenever he came on for us.  I know his game time was very limited but I would take him back, not sure if he would want to come though and perhaps there was something Marco didn't like?