Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle simply laughed off Fulham’s alleged deadline day offer for Silas Katompa Mvumpa with the Premier League outfit’s interest coming to nothing.
While Fulham did get the number nine they wanted – Armando Broja joining on loan from West London neighbours Chelsea and slipping through the fingers of Wolverhampton Wanderers – the Slough-born striker would not be joined at Craven Cottage by one of the fastest forwards in the Bundesliga.
Sky Sports claim that Silas Katompa Mvumpa could have followed Broja to Fulham in a loan-to-buy deal worth somewhere in the region of £13 million.
But Christian Falk, who was spending deadline day afternoon in the company of Stuttgart’s chief executive offer, insists that the Champions League outfit never thought for a second about accepting.
Fulham signed Armando Broja but not Stuttgart’s Silas
“I was sitting in Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle’s office on deadline day when it was reported that Fulham had made an offer for forward Silas,” Falk tells Caught Offside.
“The Stuttgart boss could only laugh and shake his head at this news.”
HITC Football understands that, while Fulham were keen on Silas, the interest emerged via intermediaries.
25-year-old Silas has scored three goals in eight Bundesliga starts for high-flying Stuttgart during the current campaign. But, in truth, he is yet to rediscover the form that made him one of the brightest young forwards in German football a couple of seasons back, the Frenchman’s progress curtailed by an ACL injury.
Fulham, meanwhile, confirmed on Friday that Carlos Vinicius will spend the next few months in Turkey with Galatasaray. Broja, who takes his place in Marco Silva’s squad, should be in contention for a Cottagers debut against struggling Burnley on Saturday.
From Chelsea to the Cottage
“It feels amazing. I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started, meet the players and manager and play for the fans,” Broja, who has struggled at Chelsea since a superb loan spell at Southampton, tells the Fulham website.
“The fans always play a big role and I can’t wait to go to Craven Cottage and meet them all. I’m going to work hard for the team and create a real bond.
“I’m really honoured and excited to be here.”
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