Fulham FC Transfer Roundup 5
Following last week’s increased transfer activity, many hoped that Fulham might make progress towards their first deals of the window. The Whites continue to only be linked with players however, but who have Fulham been linked to?
Samuel Mbangula
Matteo Moretto — 🥇
Mirko Nicolino — 🥉
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fulham are looking to strengthen on the wing this summer and have identified young Juventus winger Samuel Mbangula, a winger who operates primarily on the left-hand side, as a player who may fill that void. Reports from Matteo Moretto suggest that Fulham have asked for information on the player, whereas Mirko Nicolino suggests that Fulham are readying a 10 million euro bid. At 21 years of age, the Belgian winger has appeared 23 times in the Serie A this season for his club, starting only seven of those matches. Mbangula has netted three times and assisted three times, however, which indicates that the youngster is still producing respectable figures from off the bench. Known for his pace and trickery, Mbangula has been noted as one of the young talents in the Serie A to watch out for, attracting interest from the likes of Fulham. The market value of the winger is estimated to be 12.7 million euros as per Sofascore, which many will deem to be a reasonable fee for a youngster of his talent who has a significant amount of room for growth in his game. Depending on the level of recruitment, the Whites may be anticipating on the wing, a move for the player may be a sensible one. Should Fulham be looking for a winger that is not ready-made to start consistently, however, will be in the future, this is a void that Samuel Mbangula will fill to a good level of ability and may hopefully develop into a star in the future should Fulham acquire his services.
Zeki Celik
Calcio Mercato — 🥉
Rating — ⭐️⭐️
Following the news this week that Fulham have extended Kenny Tete’s contract for an additional three years, it seems bizarre to be documenting an additional link in the right back position, with Calcio Mercato indicating that Fulham continue to retain an interest in Roma full-back Zeki Celik. Fulham now have two solid options in the right back position going into next season, with Timothy Castagne as well as Tete, as well as young right backs that may fill the void should both players gain injuries. Celik has appeared 31 times for his side this season, with an average rating of 6.97 as per Sofascore, and respectable stats of 2.4 ball recoveries per game and 2.3 clearances per game. Celik’s stats appear to be fairly similar to those of Timothy Castagne, a player who is accustomed to the Premier League and a player who features regularly for Fulham, due to the injuries of Tete. Should Celik join the Whites, it seems unlikely that he would displace Tete as the first choice right back, and, should he obtain the position of second choice ahead of Timothy Castagne, this move may force a desire from Castagne to leave the club. In addition to this, at the age of 28, it seems unlikely that Zeki Celik would grow and develop his game and therefore become Fulham’s first-choice right back, further indicating that this move may make no sense following the confirmation of Kenny Tete’s new contract. Should Fulham look to recruit in that position, it may be more sensible to recruit a player similar to Kyle Walker Peters, who may deputise in both full-back positions.
Evan Ferguson
Footy insider — 🥉
Rating — ⭐️⭐️
20-year-old Evan Ferguson has recently returned to his parent club Brighton, following an unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham. The Irishman appears to have regressed in recent years as a player, enduring a confidence loss following his first senior appearances with Brighton. Such was the suggested quality of the player, Ferguson was receiving valuations of £100m as a result of transfer interest, unsurprisingly from Chelsea. Once this interest never materialised into a transfer, the player was gradually phased out of the team by Roberto Di Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler due to the addition of Joao Pedro and English striker Danny Welbeck, who acquired some form. Ferguson has scored one goal this season in 21 appearances and was never able to gain a consistent starting spot at West Ham, with his former manager Graham Potter preferring the likes of Nicholas Fullkrug and even Jarrod Bowen to lead the line for the Irons. This is a move that may not make sense for Fulham, as many will still believe that there is talent there; however, it will require high levels of patience as the striker seems devoid of confidence, as represented by a miss at home one on one against Leicester that comes to mind for West Ham. Should Fulham be required to have that patience, Marco Silva may not be afraid to use Rodrigo Muniz or Raul Jimenez to deputise for the Irishman. With a transfer value of 27 million euros as per Sofascore, this is a sizeable fee for a player that may lack confidence and may be easily replaced in the side — frustration may grow amongst the fanbase if a player of that value spends a significant amount of time on the bench, which he may do so if he does not hit the ground running quickly should he join the club.
Rocco Reitz
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Plettigoal — 🥇
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many football fans in England will have recently viewed the fantastic Euro U21 win for England, who played Germany in the final. Some quality football was on display that day, not only from England but also from the young German side they faced, and particularly Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Rocco Reitz. The youngster was a constant, dynamic, progressive presence in the side, with a playmaking ability that caused England issues. Reitz is 23 years of age and has featured 27 times in the Bundesliga for his club last season, operating in defensive and central midfield. Fulham have been indicating that they may look to strengthen with a player who has the attributes of box to box midfielder, and Reitz appears to tick that box, whilst retaining a hunger and a desire to engage in ground duels and tackles for his side. The German, should he join Fulham, will lower the average age of the side, which is another move Fulham may have a desire to make, indicating that this may be a sensible move for all parties.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Footy insider — 🥉
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Dominic Calvert-Lewin announced that he was leaving Everton, some Fulham fans (including myself) believed that there may be an inevitability that the forward was to be linked with a move to West London, and Footy Insider believe that a move to Fulham or Newcastle may indeed take place. The 28-year-old has been a long-standing servant for the Toffees, having joined the club in 2016 following his departure from Sheffield United. Calvert–Lewin has netted frequently during his time with Everton; however, his most successful season was in the 2020/21 season, whereby he netted 16 goals, a level of form that he has not been able to replicate since. The Englishman has been on a gradual decline since that season and only netted three goals last season as managers of the Toffees, including new manager David Moyes, started to prefer operating with the likes of Beto. The Portuguese striker scored five more goals in the Premier League last season in comparison to Dominic Calvert, Lewin having only appeared in four more matches, starting four fewer matches. Calvert — Lewin however, should he be added to the Fulham side, may become a shrewder addition than Evan Ferguson if he is brought in to operate in a limited role and allow Rodrigo Muniz to flourish ahead of him, as he has played in the Premier League for a significant amount of time and is available for free. There is always the chance that Marco helps him rediscover the form of the 2020/21 season; however, many will deem it unlikely that he is brought in and operates to that level as the side’s main striker.
Tolu Arokodare
The Sun — 🥈
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A name that many Fulham fans may get more excited about in the striker department, however, is Tolu Arokodare, the current talisman and number nine for KRC Genk in Belgium. The Nigerian stands at six feet four and would be a stellar presence for the Whites up front, coming off the back of a momentous season with his side, whereby he netted 21 times in 40 games and achieved an average match rating of 7.26 over the course of the season. Arokodare would bring a level of youth to this Fulham side, joining at the age of 24, and would provide a high level of competition for Rodrigo Muniz, indicating that Raul Jimenez would operate as the third choice going into next season. The striker is known for his anchor play and strength in retaining possession of the ball in high areas, something which Marco Silva has utilised greatly in recent years through the likes of Muniz and Aleksander Mitrovic. The transfer of Arokodare may draw similarities to that of Paul Onuachu when he arrived on the South Coast for Southampton after scoring freely in the Belgian Pro League, thus drawing some level of apprehension when it comes to the addition of Arokodare for Fulham, however the forward evidently has talent and, should he join the club, he should add quality and goals to the side.
Douglas Luiz
Fabrizio Romano/ Matteo Moretto – 🥇
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Douglas Luiz is another player that has been evaluated in recent weeks in transfer roundups; however, he continues to be linked with the side, with the latest rumours being released via Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto, indicating that the player is no longer part of Juventus’ plans and Fulham and Everton have made inquiries. Many will remember the quality of Luiz that was on show when he was operating at the heart of midfield for Aston Villa (and his headbutt on Aleksander Mitrovic), thus earning the player his move to Juventus. Luiz has since had his playing time reduced, however, in a season that may be deemed underwhelming for a young Juventus side that is in an adjustment phase. Luiz has appeared in 19 matches for Juventus this season; however, he has started only three and is therefore looking for a move. Many will believe that a return to the Premier League may make sense for the player, and a move to Fulham may be ideal as the player would likely start ahead of Sasa Lukic and operate alongside Sander Berge. A sizeable fee would be required to secure the Brazilian’s services; however, that is a fee that Fulham should consider paying to upgrade to the number eight and add a level of quality to help climb up the table.
Conclusion
This week evidently, the transfer rumours have slowed slightly with regards to any additions for the Whites, and, although patience should be required as many fans have got used to how the club seems to operate in the summer, frustrations may soon start to creep in as Fulham are one of only a small number of clubs to have not added to their side this summer. However, names including Douglas Luiz and Tolu Arokodare are good quality names to be linked with the club; therefore, hopefully, the club makes progress on those deals in the coming weeks.
