Fulham Rumour Round-Up: Navarro, Begovic, Castagne
Written by Cameron Ramsey on 19th June 2023
The transfer window’s well and truly open and in our second instalment of the summer, Cam’s gathered a few of the latest whispers from the never-ending rumour mill.
Fran Navarro – Gil Vicente
While Fulham have been touted in the running for Gil Vicente striker Fran Navarro, reports from Portugal (A Bola) suggests that the 25-year-old is on the verge of penning a five-year deal at Liga NOS giants FC Porto, a switch which was apparently agreed upon in January. Nothing has been made official as yet but if Navarro is to depart imminently, it will set Dragoes back €7m, a seriously cheap figure for a player of his ability.
One of the Portuguese Primeira Division’s hottest marksmen, the Spaniard hit 17 goals in 34 league appearances as his club finished 13th and overall, in all competitions, he racked up 21 goals and three assists. A highly profitable striker for a pittance if the shallow asking price is to be believed? It’s a no-brainer.
Asmir Begovic – Free Agent
Respected journalist Alan Nixon disclosed via his Twitter account that Fulham are prepared to offer free agent Asmir Begovic a fresh start, after the Bosnian goalkeeper bid farewell to Everton at the season’s close. It’s not certain whether Marek Rodak will remain a member of Silva’s squad next term and Begovic, a tried and tested veteran of the Premier League, would be a fantastic replacement if our current second choice is headed for the exit door.
The 35-year-old stopper may not have gained many minutes during his time at Goodison Park, but it’s worth remembering that Begovic has plied his trade on English soil amid a series of fairly recent loan spells elsewhere since 2003, he’s one of only five ‘keepers to have scored in the English top-flight (a 97.5-yard missile for Stoke City against Southampton after 13 seconds in 2013, a world record for the ‘longest goal scored in football’) and he’s still a national team member for his country. This is as risk-free as they get and I’d have him on our books even if Marek stays put.
Timothy Castagne – Leicester City
Following their relegation to the Championship, Leicester City are gearing up for a summer of wholesale changes and well-known journalist Chris Wheatley believes that Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth and Fulham will battle it out for the Foxes’ Belgian right-back Timothy Castagne.
Wheatley also earmarks Arsenal as a could-be suitor for the 27-year-old, although he is supposedly not the Gunners’ primary target. Castagne featured 37 times for Leicester last season, a mainstay in a doomed side that was mismanaged and led astray but under the right support and supervision, the former Atalanta defender would be an excellent addition and he would definitely keep Kenny Tete motivated to maintain his starting spot in SW6.
Aske Andresen – Silkeborg
According to Danish publication BT, Fulham were in Denmark for a week towards the back end of the previous campaign to monitor Silkeborg’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Aske Andresen, who became the youngest stopper to guard the sticks in the Danish Superliga last October.
The teenager extended his contract at Silkeborg until 2025 in December, but this hasn’t deterred admiring clubs such as the Whites from casting a blind eye on his burgeoning expertise. A Denmark U18 representative, Andresen still has much to learn about his profession but he is certainly one for the future and if Fulham can tempt his parent club to sell up, his development could be even more beneficial at a Premier League outfit.
