Fulham transfers state of play with host of names linked and departures expected

Fulham are preparing for the start of the new Premier League season.

First up for the Cottagers is a home clash against Liverpool this weekend.

Marco Silva’s side have delved into the window to bring in Joao Palphina from Sporting Lisbon, Andreas Pereira from Manchester United, Kevin Mbabu from Wolfsburg and Manor Solomon from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Here is a look at all the other transfers that could happen for the London club, both ins and outs...

Signing a new goalkeeper has been a priority for Fulham this summer. They currently have Marek Rodak and Paulo Gazzaniga as their two senior options between the sticks and let youngster Luca Ashby-Hammond leave on loan for Aldershot Town after his spell at Stockport County last term.

Arsenal’s Bernd Leno has been linked throughout this window and the Cottagers have reportedly finally agreed a deal in the region of £8million to sign him, as per The Athletic. This is a transfer saga that has dragged on for a while now and the club were even linked with potential alternatives, with Spanish news outlet SPORT claiming Barcelona’s Neto was a target.

Fulham were also reported by Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth to be interested in bringing back former loan stopper Sergio Rico from PSG. However, it appears Leno has always been their number one target.

Defence is an area that Silva’s side will be looking to strengthen ahead of a tough campaign. The Athletic have reported that they have bids in for centre-backs Issa Diop and Malang Sarr from West Ham United and Chelsea respectively as they look to bring in some more bodies.

Leicester City’s Jannik Vestergaard, who has struggled to make an impact at the King Power Stadium, is a target as well according to The Sun. He was a hit at former club Southampton and would be a shrewd signing if he could find his previous form again.

Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra said last month on Twitter that Fulham were keen on Genk defender Jhon Lucumi along with fellow top flight new boys AFC Bournemouth, but nothing has happened since then.

Another player who has been linked is Tottenham Hotspur’s Joe Rodon, but the Daily Mail have reported that he is joining French club Rennes.

In terms of defensive outgoings from Craven Cottage, Terence Kongolo is on trial with Championship side Stoke City although it remains to be seen whether he will be snapped up by the Potters, As per Stoke On Trent Live, their boss, Michael O’Neill, has said that they are at a ‘very early’ stage with the Holland international. Steven Sessegnon has been shipped out on loan again to Charlton Athletic and made his competitive debut for the Addicks this past weekend.

Moving further up the pitch, Chelsea and England midfielder Ross Barkley is a name that has been tentatively mentioned, as covered by Football London in a live blog last month.

Palphina and Pereira have already arrived in this area but that didn’t stop Fulham reportedly making an enquiry for Italy international Federico Bernardeschi, as per the Daily Mail. The attacking midfielder, who has left Juventus this summer, has moved to Canada now to sign for Toronto.

Nevertheless, the same story mentioned Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet is on their radar and with him still currently at Turf Moor, this is a story to keep an eye on. He wasn’t in the Clarets’ squad for their opening Championship clash against Huddersfield Town last Friday.

Aleksander Mitrovic remains at the club and will no doubt lead the line again after firing 43 goals in all competitions last season.

Rodrigo Muniz provides useful competition and back-up but is on Middlesbrough’s radar according to Sky Sports, but his current club won’t let him leave until they have a replacement.

The Brazilian may not be the only player heading out the exit door either, with The Athletic claiming Fulham are open to offers for Josh Onomah, Anthony Knockaert and Ivan Cavaleiro.