Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has told Fulham he wants to leave the Championship side this summer, according to Il Messaggero, amid interest from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Roma.
The Cameroon international has told the Cottagers hierarchy of his desire to land a transfer before the August 31 deadline. His agent also met with Roma CEO Tiago Pinto to discuss a move to the Stadio Olimpico and joining Jose Mourinho’s side for the new Serie A season.
Pinto has pursued a deal for Anguissa after Roma failed to sign Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, per Calciomercato. The Giallorossi chief admires what the Fulham star can offer in the Italian capital, but faces a €25m (£21m) valuation.
Arsenal and Aston Villa could further hinder Roma’s pursuit of Anguissa by launching their own raids on Fulham this summer. The Daily Mail reported in May that both were tracking developments at Craven Cottage to bolster their respective engine rooms.
Mikel Arteta was driving the Gunners’ pursuit as the Spaniard believes Anguissa would be an ideal partner for Thomas Partey. But Arsenal denying Roma a deal for Xhaka could now see Anguissa head to Italy after handing in a transfer request at Fulham over the weekend.
Roma CEO Pinto has been busy on the transfer front this week as he strives to finalise late window arrivals and exits. As well as finalising Edin Dzeko’s move to Inter Milan and efforts to sell Alessandro Florenzi, he is making progress on renewing Lorenzo Pellegrini’s contract.
Anguissa boosted Pinto’s plans for incomings, as well, by handing in a transfer request at Fulham on Sunday. The Cameroonian even withdrew from the Championship season-opener against Middlesbrough, which they drew, as he wants to leave this summer.
Anguissa offers Arsenal, Aston Villa and Roma hope of Fulham transfer
Anguissa handing in a transfer request has offered Arsenal, Aston Villa and Roma hope of agreeing terms with Fulham. Marco Silva would surely prefer to offload the 25-year-old if he is not committed to their promotion hopes.
Fulham paid £30m to sign Anguissa from Marseille in 2018 and made him one of their top-earners on £67,000-per-week. But his contract now only has two years remaining. So, he will soon command a lesser fee if the Cottagers do not find a desirable suitor this summer.
Arsenal, Aston Villa and Roma may all be able to rise to Fulham’s demands for Anguissa and suit his plans. And sign a midfielder who Cottagers Director of Football Tony Khan called ‘world-class’, via the Fulham website, on his arrival.
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