The FFC Rumour Mill: Douglas Luiz interest and Pereira wants to leave?
Jack Stroudley looks at all the latest rumours around the club
Barring the news that Kenny Tete has agreed a three-year deal at the club, a giant tumbleweed has descended upon Motspur Park with not a lot of news this week in terms of both incomings and outgoings. Nevertheless, there have been a few rumours to sink your teeth into.
Incomings
According to Italian journalist Orazio Accomando, both Fulham and Manchester United have made inquiries over Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu with Inter Milan wanting €40m for the 31 year old. He’s obviously a good player who featured a fair amount last season in Italy, but are Fulham going to spend that much on someone over 30?, I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t be hang on your hat on this one.
Staying in Italy, Fulham are looking at a couple of players from Juventus with an alleged €10m bid incoming for winger Samuel Mbangula. The Belgian’s minutes have been limited at Juventus and with Fulham losing Reiss Nelson back to Arsenal the club will be looking at finding another wide player to come in.
Mirko Nicolino also reports that Fulham are interested in a loan with an option for Juve midfielder Douglas Luiz. The ex-Aston Villa midfielder is a player that we have been linked with before and is certainly one to keep an eye on with Fabrizio Romano reporting that ‘Premier League clubs’ have approched Juve about the 27-year-old whose expected to leave this summer. Everton and Manchester United also hold an interest.
Sacha Tavolieri reports that Fulham hold a concrete interest in KRC Genk forward Tolu Arokodare. The Italian journalist reports that the Nigerian is seen as a serious option in the event of Rodrigo Muniz’s departure. The 24-year-old scored 21 times in Belgium last season and islinked to a number of Premier League clubs. Tavolieri is a credible name in European football, so there will be some legs to this. I can’t see this being as a Muniz replacement though, rather as a third striker option which Marco Silva has stated we need at some point during this transfer window.
Reports coming from the other side of Fulham suggest that Raheem Sterling is a player on Marco Silva’s target list with the 30-year-old wanting to remain in London following a disappointing loan spell at Arsenal. The report suggests the move would be a loan due to his £325,000-a-week wage. Personally I can’t (and also don’t want to) see this one happen, while Silva likes experience the salary will be too much of a stumbling block.
Miguel Delaney has reported that Fulham are one of a number of clubs interested in Lyon winger Malick Fofana with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest amongst those interested in the 20-year-old. The French side value the Belgian at €60m and with interest that others hold alongside that valuation this one is a non-starter for me.
Outgoings
Andreas Pereira is “100% open to leaving Fulham so that he can compete for trophies” according to reports in Brazil. The 28-year-old has previously been in the spotlight for wanting a move out of SW6 angering boss Marco Silva with this rumour only intensifying those frustrations. Pereira’s off-the-ball pressing is something we struggle to replicate when not in the side but given his age and current stock I think now feels the right time to sell for a profit. Given the fact these rumours persist I imagine there’s some truth behind it.
Atletico Madrid have allegedly submitted a €25m offer for Alex Iwobi according to sources in Africa. I was going to nip this one in the bud due to the poor source and no other credible journalist following this up to confirm. However, Sky reported late on Sunday night that Atletico are interested in the Nigerian, albeit a bid hasn’t been submitted yet. One to watch; I just can’t see it though.
Antonee Robinson has drawn some attention this week with both Juventus and Spurs holding interest in the 27 year old. Coming off the back of a magnificent season, the USMNT full-back was always going to hold interest but with the likes of Milos Kerkez and Rayan Ait-Nouri filling positions for Liverpool and Manchester City it’s becoming increasingly likely that ‘Jedi’ will stay, Fulham will demand £45m for his services.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has reported that Portuguese side Benfica hold an interest in Spanish defender Jorge Cuenca and have made contact with Fulham to see if a deal can be made. I’ve already spoke about Tavolieri’s credibility in this article but I personally hope we don’t entertain an offer although the opportunity to play European football may appeal to the 25 year old and if the club can turn a profit on a rotational player it may be of interest to them.
Finally, Jack Kelly has reported that Fulham are determined to keep Rodrigo Muniz at the club who are trying to tie the Brazilian down to a long-term contract amid interest from Leeds and Spurs.
A relatively quiet week for Fulham with more credibility on departures rather than arrivals. We’re still awaiting news on Tom Cairney’s contract and the most notable things to takeaway from this week is a revised interest in Douglas Luiz as well as Andreas Pereira continuing to push for a move away. There’s a ton of work to do before the start of the season next month!