Fulham FC Transfer Roundup 9
Following a quiet and uncertain period in the transfer window, where the Whites appeared to have a lack of activity in the market, Fulham have been somewhat active this week, placing bids on players and retaining interest in key targets. But who has been the subject of Fulham’s interest?
Kevin
Fabrizio Romano — 🥇
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In an unexpected transfer announcement on Wednesday evening, Fabrizio Romano announced to his followers that Fulham had a bid rejected for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin. There were no previous links to the Brazilian, however, the bid by Fulham has sparked excitement due to his potential. The fee quoted by Fabrizio Romano was an initial bid of thirty million euros, rising to a package deal that may total fourty million euros, with some suggesting that Shakhtar require an upfront fee of thirty-three million euros, thus indicating that Fulham are not far off the deal should they pursue it. Kevin appears to be an exciting winger, well known for his ball control, pace and skill, as well as his desire to take on his man and produce lively performances from the left-hand flank. Such is the notoriety of the player, Fulham’s interest is set to be contested by Napoli to secure his signature. Last season with his club side, Kevin was able to score six goals and assist four, however, he has explosively opened this season, scoring four and assisting two in three Europa League qualifying games. This bid from Fulham is encouraging, showing that there is still potential for investment this summer, and that Fulham are looking to attract quality from clubs that have played in the Champions League, with a player who is still youthful and has room for growth. The flair that the Brazilian possesses should excite Fulham fans should he join the club, and many will be hoping that Fulham continue to pursue the deal.
Ricardo Pepi
Santi Aouna — 🥈
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another 22-year-old player that has been the subject of a rejected Fulham bid this summer, according to rumours, is PSV striker Ricardo Pepi, a player who Fulham were interested in earlier this transfer window, with this bid appearing to reignite potential for the player to join the Whites. According to Santi Auona, the American was the subject of a bid totalling thirty million euros and therefore a similar fee to Kevin, however, so far, there has not been an indication of what fee may be required to sign the player. Pepi is known to score at a high rate in the Eredivisie, as represented by his 11 goals in 18 matches last season, and is a tall, dynamic presence up front. Also, in a similar manner to Kevin, Pepi is another player who has featured in the Champions League and has scored twice in that competition, indicating that he can perform against some of the very best defences. With all these factors considered, Pepi represents another potential investment for the future who possesses notable qualities to bring to the side at this stage of his career. However, as will be evident to many, for various reasons, Fulham’s business has been slow this window, therefore, the likelihood of deals for both Kevin and Pepi being completed imminently is small.
Nicolas Gonzalez
Tutto Sport — 🥉
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another player that has been previously linked with Fulham this window and has seen rumours resurface this week relates to the possibility of Juventus winger Nicolas Gonzalez departing the club and joining Fulham. Current Juventus manager Igor Tudor has adopted a formation that utilises five players in his defensive unit, decreasing the need for wingers, thus, Fulham have registered their interest in the player, as well as Samuel Mbangula, who has since departed Juventus for Wolfsburg. Gonzalez is 27, thus he has less room for growth in comparison to the two players previously mentioned, and registered three goals and two assists in the league last season which is also less than the previous two players, however it has to be noted that Gonzalez was plying his trade in Serie A, in comparison to the Ukranian League and the Dutch League. However, the player still possesses the quality that he has represented over his career in Italy and Germany, and his 2022/23 Conference League campaign with Fiorentina perhaps best represents that. He helped the Italian side reach the final and, although they lost that final, he was a consistent danger and threat to West Ham, earning many plaudits with that performance. Taking various factors into account, his SofaScore valuation of 25 million euros should be a sensible fee for a player of that quality nowadays, however, the player would need to unlock his potential and some of his Fiorentina performances so Fulham can see him flourish.
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Reiss Nelson
Sami Mokbel — 🥇
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reiss Nelson is a player who has been consistently evaluated throughout the summer, and the BBC’s Sami Mokbel has issued an update this week, in a similar manner to what has previously been suggested. Mokbel has alluded to the fact that a loan deal has been discussed, and both Fulham and Arsenal are determining whether to add an option to buy or an obligation to buy into the deal. This update is similar to what has been suggested previously, indicating that this deal may still very much go ahead, however, Fulham are approaching it with patience to acquire the player on their terms.
Samuel Chukuwueze
Tutto Sport — 🥉
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another player who has been consistently evaluated this summer is Milan’s Samuel Chukuwueze, with Tutto Sport indicating this week that Fulham are still pushing for the transfer. The stumbling block for this move is similar to the Reiss Nelson transfer, as Fulham reportedly want a loan with an option to buy rather than a permanent sale or obligation to buy, therefore, talks are ongoing. Both Reiss Nelson and Samuel Chukuwueze are similar players, therefore, it would be surprising if Fulham acquired both, however Chukuwueze is a skilful, exciting winger who would add quality on the flanks for Fulham.
Raheem Sterling
Four Four Two — 🥉
Rating — ⭐️⭐️
According to Four Four Two, Fulham have opened talks to sign Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, a player who is looking to move on from Chelsea and may even take a wage cut to revitalise his career. If Fulham opt to sign the player, it should be approached as a loan with an option to buy, or a permanent addition, but for a low fee, with his wages negotiated to a more reasonable number. Therefore, Marco Silva has been known to revitalise some players and get the best out of them at various stages of their career, and this is a deal that many may be uncertain about, however, it should be a deal whereby Fulham minimise expenditure if they pursue it and Sterling fails to hit the ground running.
Oleksander Zinchenko
Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another ex-Arsenal player that Fulham have been linked with is Oleksander Zinchenko. Zinchenko may not represent the most exciting addition, however, the player may play a useful role with his experience. Zinchenko would not join, expecting consistent minutes, however, if Fulham are looking for depth and options in both left-back and central midfield, the player would bring great experience and consistency to each position when he fills in, becoming a viable, cheap option to bolster the Whites.
Conclusion
Although there can be no big conclusions drawn from this week’s transfer activity, there have been signs of life from the Whites and some indications that Lecomte may not be the only addition this summer. Many fans will be hoping that is not the case and hope the squad will be bolstered over the coming weeks.
