Fulham are struggling to agree deals for three transfer targets with Benfica defender Morato, BSC Young Boys star Fabian Rieder and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi proving elusive for the Premier League outfit.
Earlier this week, former Fiorentina ace Igor Luis completed his move to Brighton and Hove Albion despite reportedly agreeing personal terms over a move to Craven Cottage.
And while the events of the last few days have increased the optimism to some extent – Raul Jimenez arriving, Willian returning, Calvin Bassey on his way and Joao Palhinha now expected to stay – there is still a niggling sense of frustration bubbling beneath the surface, with a number of Fulham’s top targets potentially going the same way as the Amex-bound Igor.
Transfer frustration for Marco Silva’s Fulham
Fulham, according to A Bola, submitted a fifth offer for Benfica colossus Morato last week. The Cottagers are offering £23 million, and were confident of Benfica accepting. Fifth time lucky, perhaps.
Fulham will need to return to the drawing board instead, however, A Bola reporting that the Portuguese champions are not happy about the structure of the deal. The Cottagers had hoped to pay the £23 million fee across five separate instalments; a plan Benfica aren’t particularly pleased with.
Morato appears open to joining the West London outfit this summer. Ditto Callum Hudson-Odoi; the one-time England international desperate for a fresh start after becoming the forgotten man of Stamford Bridge.
Hudson-Odoi, the Express say, has ‘his heart set on’ joining Fulham despite the prospect of Champions League football under ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri at Lazio. Chelsea’s £10 million asking price, however, is seeing the deal stall.
At least Hudson-Odoi is keen on the move. The same cannot really be said of Fabian Rieder, the Swiss schemer who scored nine goals and set up 11 more as BSC Young Boys secured another domestic title in 2023/23.
Rieder, BILD say, is putting offers from Fulham and London neighbours Brentford on the backburner as he holds out for a move to a Borussia Monchengladbach side renowned for their healthy crop of Swiss talent, Yann Sommer, Nico Elvedi and Granit Xhaka all passing through.
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