Lucas Joao has earned himself a few admirers since arriving at Blackburn Rovers on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, and Fulham should consider making a move for the Portuguese international in the summer.
Lucas Joao for scored a late equaliser for Blackburn Rovers against Fulham last week
Fulham will be more than familiar with 23-year-old Lucas Joao after he scored an injury time equaliser in a 2-2 draw between the sides last week. This put a slight dent in the West London club’s promotion aspirations, with the Cottagers currently sitting one point outside the final play-off spot being occupied by Joao’s parent club, Sheffield Wednesday.
Since his arrival at Ewood Park, the Angolan born Joao has scored three goals for Rovers in their bid to avoid relegation. All of his goals have come off the bench but he played his first full 90 minutes for the club at the weekend. He failed to find the net but provided an assist in their 2-2 draw against Lancashire rivals Preston North End.
Joao was one of Carlos Carvahal’s first signings when he arrived at Sheffield Wednesday back in 2015 as a highly-rated centre forward who made his name for Portugese side Nacional. But despite his glowing reputation, Joao only managed to score six goals for the Owls.
His deadline day move to Blackburn was sanctioned when Wednesday secured the signings of Jordan Rhodes and Sam Winnall. With his first-team chances looking limited, he has managed to show glimpses of the talent that helped secure his move to Hillsborough.
Fulham’s on loan striker Chris Martin and Blackburn’s Lucas Joao in action
Fulham’s two centre-forwards at the club, Chris Martin and Cyriac, are only on loan at the club. With Martin looking likely to go back to Derby and Cyriac struggling to make an impact, that potentially leaves Fulham with just Sone Aluko left who can operate in the centre forward role.
If Joao continues to impress in a struggling Blackburn side until the end of the season then a move to Craven Cottage would be a shrewd piece of business by Fulham boss Slaviša Jokanović. His height (6ft 3in) would make him an ideal candidate to play the lone central striker role that has been implemented by Jokanović.
With Wednesday’s wealth of attacking options, a potential deal for Joao could be completed and without it breaking the bank.
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic will look to bolster his forward options in the summer
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