The FFC Rumour Mill: Madrid duo arrive and Roma's Kevin bid rejected
Jack Stroudley rounds up another week of Fulham's transfer window.
We’re less than a month away from the season kicking off and things are starting to heat up.
Fulham announced two signings this week and the rumour mill isn’t stopping there. It could be a very exciting and pivotal few weeks for Fulham, let’s look at the latest ongoings.
Incomings
Starting with the confirmed, Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios have both been announced by the club. I wrote articles on both the signing of Garcia and Palacios so will refrain from repeating myself, but I’m very excited for these two.
It looks like our raid of Real Madrid won’t end there with Matteo Moretto reporting that Thiago Pitarch could become the third academy graduate to make the move to SW6. Marca are also reporting that personal terms have already been agreed and talks are currently ongoing between the two clubs regarding a deal.
Elsewhere, Fulham have revived their interest in Shea Charles according to Florian Plettenburg. Sky Sports Germany are reporting that Fulham are now in advanced negotiations to sign the Southampton midfielder with personal terms almost agreed. Fulham will reportedly pay €30m for the 22 year old.
Meanwhile, Fulham have cooled their pursuit of Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu with both parties unable to agree a deal according to reports in Turkey. I think this may be one that Fulham re-evaluate, we need a central defender and the previously reported Charlie Cresswell is staying in France and signing for Rennes. One of those potential options is Rennes defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal. David Ornstein reported on Wednesday night Fulham have had a £20m bid rejected for the Morrocan international.
Finally, a few Premier League names to mention. Matteo Moretto has reported that Fulham are a number of clubs interested in Arsenal winger Ethan Nwaneri and our very own Jack Kelly reports that we hold an interest in Manchester City defender Rico Lewis.
Outgoings
The biggest outgoing news this week comes from Italy with Globo reporting that Fulham have rejected a €50m bid for winger Kevin from Roma. We’re not in a position to sell Kevin and the offer from Roma isn’t far off what we paid last summer.
TalkSport are reporting that Fulham are open the idea of selling Serbian midfielder Sasa Lukic this summer. Lukic isn’t seen as a fit in Arbeloa’s system and the club would be more interested in a deal for him than Sander Berge. Lukic is in the final year of his deal so cashing in wouldn’t be a terrible idea. If Fulham are to land Charles and Pitarch you’d imagine one would head out the door, from a financial point of view, Lukic makes the most sense.
Antonee Robinson’s future has once again cropped up with Alan Nixon suggesting that Newcastle United are interested in the American if Lewis Hall was to head to Manchester United.
Finally, U21 manager Hayden Mullins has left Motspur Park to become the manager of League Two side Newport County. Mullins has done a fantastic job with the academy and deserves a chance at the helm of a first-team side. Go well, Hayden!