Fulham plot to beat Liverpool and Crystal Palace to £50m statement double swoop

Fulham are hoping to regenerate their midfield options with a statement double transfer swoop worth upwards of £50 million this summer.

The imminent spending spree comes after the club cashed in on Portugal international Joao Palhinha. The 29-year-old completed a long-awaited move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich earlier this month, leaving a sizeable hole at the heart of Marco Silva's midfield.

Rumours of how the Cottagers would plug that gap had been swirling around the West London outfit and The Evening Standard has now outlined what the club's priorities are.

Fulham are now 'pushing' to sign Brazilian midfielder Andre from Fluminense. The 23-year-old has been a longer term transfer target for the club and the pressure to make that deal happen has now increased following Palhinha's exit.

It's expected that Fulham will seal a £25 million deal with Fluminese for the transfer. The London club are in 'regular discourse' with the player's representatives and are expected to beat Liverpool to his signature - Arsenal had also been linked with the star last summer.

Fulham are also expected to add another familiar face to their midfield. The prime candidate has emerged as Arsenal man Emile Smith-Rowe, with the Gunners willing to sell the 23-year-old. Silva's side have already seen a £25 million bid rejected by their London rivals but are expected to return with a new offer.

Watch - The Premier League Panel: Best and worst signings

Should a deal for Smith-Rowe collapse, with Crystal Palace also preparing a bid for the player, Fulham could then turn to Manchester United man Scott McTominay or Luton Town midfielder Teden Mengi.

McTominay is also linked with a move to West Ham, although conflicting reports suggest that interest from the London Stadium is just a hangover from when David Moyes encouraged the club to bid £30 million for the Scotland international 12 months ago.