Attila Szalai was ‘joining Chelsea’ but now Fulham can sign him for £13m

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Premier League high-flyers Fulham will need to improve their offer for Attila Szalai if they are serious about bringing the £13 million-rated Fenerbahce centre-back to Craven Cottage, according to Sporx. 

This is not the first time we have seen a newly-promoted team take the top-flight by storm. See Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, for instance. Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United the year before. Steve Coppell’s Reading, even.

Only a select few sides have ever qualified for Europe during their first season back in the big time, however. Carry on like this and Fulham, sixth place with 11 wins from 24 matches, may soon be following in the footsteps of Nuno’s Wolves or the great Ipswich Town outfit of 2001. 

An excellent first season, however, gives way to a disappointing second more often than not. But Fulham can go some way to easing fears of that dreaded ’second season syndrome’ with a couple of intelligent additions in a couple of key areas. 

Fulham already drawing up summer transfer plans

Tosin Adarabioyo’s future looks uncertain. And Tim Ream, while one of the Premier League’s most in-form, reliable centre-backs, will turn 36 in October. So Szalai, a Hungary international ten years Ream’s junior, could be a potentially inspired addition at just £13 million. 

Fulham, Sporx say, recently had a bid of £9 million rejected, presumably during the January window. Fenerbahce are unwilling to sell for less than £13 million. Although, if Marco Silva and co are serious about Szalai, that £4 million gap will probably be bridged.  

A physical, 6ft 4ins man-mountain of a defender; Szalai is likened to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk due to his size and often-underrated passing range. A defender in Silva’s system needs to be able to play out from the back Szalai – left-footed like US veteran Ream – is certainly more than capable in that department. 

This is not the first time Szalai has been linked with a move to the Premier League. Just one year ago, Hungary coach Marco Rossi told Calciomercato that he expected to see the former Rapid Vienna youngster end up at Fulham’s West London neighbours. 

“I think he is joining Chelsea,” said Rossi, who also talked up a move to Leeds United. 

“He has been followed by big clubs in Spain but would also be a great player for Italian football.”