Director appears to confirm £18m star is on verge of signing for Fulham

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Ajax’s technical director Sven Mislintat appears to have confirmed Calvin Bassey’s impending £18 million move to Premier League outfit Fulham with the Arsenal-linked Josip Sutalo a potential replacement. 

After one highly disappointing season at the Eredivisie giants, former Leicester City and Rangers youngster Calvin Bassey returns to Britain with a point to prove and a reputation to restore. 

Fulham, according to the Evening Standard, have agreed an £18 million deal with Ajax. Bassey should join the Cottagers on a long-term deal, becoming Marco Silva’s second signing of a difficult summer after Raul Jimenez.  

The third, if you count Willian’s return. 

Mislintat, the former Dortmund and Arsenal chief, is in charge of recruitment at Ajax these days. And with Bassey following Arsenal newbie Jurrien Timber out the door, Mislintat accepts that the Dutch giants may need not one new centre-half but a pair of them. 

Fulham agree deal for Ajax’s Calvin Bassey

“Since Calvin Bassey is also facing a departure, we may have to get two (defenders),” he tells Voetbal International. 

Ajax have reportedly submitted a £15 million bid for Dinamo Zagreb’s classy Croatian centre-half, Josip Sutalo.  

Sutalo, strangely enough, also been linked with both Arsenal and Fulham. 

“I have not confirmed the interest in Josip Sutalo so far,” Mislintat adds. “But it is a given that he is one of the candidates to strengthen us. So I can say that.

“Other than that, it remains to be seen. It would not be proper if I elaborated further on him, because he is currently a Dinamo Zagreb player.” 

Bassey, at Fulham, will give Silva options at left-back and for the left-sided centre-half spot. The Cottagers will be praying he can rediscover the form that made him one of the most promising young defenders around during Rangers’ stirring run to the final of the UEFA Europa League in 2022. 

Fulham are also hoping to bring in Morato from Benfica, offering a fee of £22 million. BSC Young Boys schemer Fabian Rieder and Chelsea misfit Callum Hudson-Odoi are options to strengthen Silva’s attack.