Well following our 1-0 defeat away at Sunderland one thing is clear, we need bodies in.
Alvaro Arbeloa alluded to this after Sunday’s game stating he and the Khans’ are working hard to secure deals. Fulham need bodies in and Tony Khan can’t help but get excited about a deadline day. This could and should be a frantic few days, here’s everyone that’s been linked with us ahead of that deadline (spoiler: there’s been quite a few).
Incomings
There’s been a lot of defensive rumours since Thursday’s article so I’ll be putting this in order of which I think are possible.
Starting with Ait Boudlal whose once again been mentioned by French media. On Sunday night, it was reported that Fulham had a second offer rejected from Rennes in the region of €35m. A large chunk of change but a player Fulham are clearly desperate to sign, that being said, there are a few alternatives.
Another confirmed bid comes from Ryan Taylor of the Daily Mirror as both Fulham and Crystal Palace have had offers rejected by Brest for 19-year-old defender Raphael Le Guen.
FulhamTransfer has reported that Fulham are exploring a late move for Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima. The same source also reports an interest in Celta Vigo defender Javi Rodriguez (with Everton also interested) as well as Jake O’Brien from Everton.
TeamTalk have thrown out two current Premier League defenders that Fulham could make a late move for. Kevin Danso from Spurs and the familiar face of Tosin from Chelsea.
Fulham are clearly in the market and seemingly desperate for a centre-back (hence all these rumours) and with a large bid rejected for Ait Boudlal as well as an offer turned down for Le Guen, don’t be surprised if you see some more names crop up between now and Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.
The second position Fulham are targeting is right-back with this one seemingly drawing closer to a conclusion. Andrei Ratiu is the man that Fulham are after and negotiations are advancing according to Matteo Moretto with a potential fee of €25m. The question of which full-back will depart with Ratiu’s impending arrival will be answered later in this article.
Moving into midfield and Spanish reports are claiming that Real Madrid youngster Manuel Angel will join Fulham before Tuesday’s deadline. The deal is reportedly accelerating and will be structured in the same way that Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios were.
Other reports suggest that Fulham are looking elsewhere for another midfielder option with Florian Plettenburg claiming both Fulham and Crystal Palace are in direct negotiations with Frankfurt over Swedish international Hugo Larsson. While FootMercato claim Fulham could explore a late move for Djaoui Cisse from Rennes.
The final position Fulham look desperate to fill is at right-wing with long-standing target Matias Soule with Gianluca Di Marzio claiming that Fulham and Roma were in talks over the winger. Other reports in Italy suggest those talks have now gone cold with Soule potentially joining Newcastle United. Another player who has been linked is Ethan Nwaneri whose preference is to remain in the Premier League according to Sky Sports. A deadline day domestic loan perhaps?
Outgoings
Now onto departures and one that looks certain is Kenny Tete. The Dutchman has agreed personal terms with Everton according to Fabrizio Romano with the departure pending an incoming for Fulham. Fulham will receive £9m for Tete who was not in Sunday’s squad against Sunderland. A shame that this is the end for Tete but £9m is a good fee for someone whose fitness remains a question mark. A magnificent servant of the club who ultimately doesn’t fit the way that Arbeloa wants to play. Go well, Kenny!
SkySportsItaly are reporting that Serie A side Cagliari are exploring a deal to sign Luc De Fougerolles. The report doesn’t reveal whether this would be a permanent or a loan. I hope it’s a loan and if so, this would be a magnificent deal for the Canadian’s development. You’d imagine regardless of a loan or a permanent, this one is pending an arrival coming through the door.
Sky Sports are also reporting a loan is on the cards for Jonah Kusi-Asare with Championship side Preston the likely destination.
Finally, one that is confirmed is from Fulham’s academy. Samuel Amissah has joined Portuguese side Estoril on loan until the end of the season. Another good loan for a player who needs minutes.
Buckle up people: this is going to be frantic.
Given that we've invested in wingers/wide players and we failed to get on the end of any crosses at the weekend, might we be interested in a "traditional" 9?
My concern with buying another CB is, when well they be ready for the PL? Surely we won't buy say, Ait Boudlal, and immediately make him our starting right center back. I am just worried that we didn't plan at all and now we've really backed ourselves into a corner.
The biggest mistake Fulham have made in a while is letting Diop go. The second biggest mistake we've made is letting Diop go before we had a plan.
We SHOULD have made Diop the starter and dropped JA to the bench. Then if we found a suitable replacement, we could have talked about selling Diop. And all of this should have been done months ago. Insane.