The FFC Rumour Mill: Romulo in and Muniz going nowhere?

Jack Stroudley looks at all rumours relating to Fulham over the past week.

As pre-season approaches the cogs are beginning to turn for other Premier League clubs with players coming in and out, Fulham as usual are yet to make their first signing this early into the transfer window. That doesn’t mean there hasn’t been interest and rumours to discuss...

Incomings

The most credible rumour of the week came from David Ornstein, reporting that Fulham had a €16m+ add-ons + sell on fee bid rejected for Brazilian striker Romulo Cardoso from Turkish side Goztepe. It was reported earlier this year that Fulham had sent scouts to Turkey in-order to look at the 23-year-old who scored 13 times and assisted nine over the course of 29 games last season. There are reports from Turkey that Fulham will go back in with a second bid, Goztepe are looking for an offer north of €20m. This is certainly one to watch.

According to European journalist Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sports, both Fulham and Nottingham Forest have made contact with Inter Milan over Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, with Turkish side Beskitas also interested. The 32-year-old is someone that Fulham looked at a few seasons ago after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s departure. Turkish journalist Erkem Konur reported that Fulham were preparing a €5m bid. I wouldn’t put my neck on the line for this one.

Fulham have a reported interest in Arsenal and Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, according to the Sun, after Mikel Arteta made the 28-year-old surplus to requirements. The North London side are looking for around £12.5m, but it’s believed that Fulham could land a deal of around £10m for the defender who can also slot into midfield. He feels like quite a Fulham signing; let’s wait and see.

ESPN reports that Fulham are one of four Premier League clubs interested in Brazilian winger Pepe. The 28-year-old currently plays for FC Porto and following a campaign with five goal involvements Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Burnley are also interested in bringing him to England. I’m not sure on this rumours credibility, but I feel like this is one Fulham could be wise to dodge.

According to TalkSport, Fulham are one of four Premier League clubs interested in Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi. Following the Foxes relegation it’s believed that the Nigerian midfielder has a release clause of £9m, which is set to activate from the 1 July - Crystal Palace and Everton are said to be among the sides also interested. This could be one to watch; he will 100% end up in the Premier League next season and for £9m we could do worse.

Fulhamish’s very own Jack Kelly has reported on two players that Fulham hold an interest in. The first is former Arsenal goalkeeper Mat Ryan, whose contract has recently expired at FC Lens. The Australian is also in talks with his former club FC Copenhagen.

JK has also reported that Fulham are in talks with Borussia Mönchengladbach over German midfielder Rocco Reitz, who featured in the recent U21 European Championships, West Ham are also interested in the 23 year old. Of the two reported by Jack, the latter feels like more of a “goer” with Sky Germany reporting that Fulham hold an interest in the German.

MailSport reported earlier this week that Fulham are one of four clubs interested in Ipswich Town winger Omari Hutchinson. It’s believed that Everton, Brentford & West Ham also hold an interest in the 21-year-old, but the Tractor Boys won’t be willing to part with the winger for less than £30m, which I just can’t see Fulham paying.

Former Fulham man Harvey Elliott has been linked with a return to the club after being deemed surplus to requirements at Liverpool. Sky Sports reported that Fulham were interested alongside Brighton, Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool want £40m for the 22-year-old. It’s worth remembering that Fulham have a 20% sell-on fee for the academy graduate, which could help Silva and co negotiate a good deal. I’m not convinced this one has any legs though.

The final two rumours are the least credible, but worth a mention. GiveMeSport are reporting that Fulham hold an interest in Heerenveen full-back Oliver Braude (though Kenny Tete’s decision to stay has thankfully put paid to that), and Turkish reporter Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has reported Fulham once again hold an interest in Bright Osayi-Samuel

(update: On Friday Bright signed for Birmingham City, so we can rule that last one out!)

Outgoings

Fulham have no interest in selling Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz, according to Sky Sports News, despite interest from Newcastle United, Spurs and Leeds United, the latter of which are preparing a second offer.

GiveMeSport reports that Fulham club captain Tom Cairney is leaning towards a new deal at the club after talks fell through with Championship side Wrexham. It’s a report given further weight by Peter Rutzler earlier this week.

The future of Canadian defender Luc De Fougerolles remains up in the air. The Canadian international’s contract runs out on 30 June. I imagine he will stay, but it’s certainly being left into the final hour…

That’s your lot for this week, but many of these reports feel like they lack substance. The only one that really appears to be ‘progressing’ is Romulo from Goztepe.

The futures of Tom Cairney and Luc De Fougerolles remain the most important news when it comes to retaining talent. Both players’ contracts expired on 1 July, making them free agents who can easily be poached by a number of clubs, but it appears both could be set to stay at the club.