- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Fulham are favourites to secure the signature of £15 million-rated Stuttgart forward Silas Katompa Mvumpa with the Bundesliga flyer keen on a move to the Premier League outfit.
HITC understands that, after returning for a long-time transfer target, Marco Silva’s side are well placed to get a deal done at last.
Silas, who helped Stuttgart finish second in the Bundesliga and ahead of Bayern Munich in 2023/24, has been on Fulham’s radar for around 12 months.
In fact, The Cottagers submitted an offer in January. Albeit one that did not go down particularly well at the Mercedes Benz arena, Stuttgart quick to dismiss an approach that would have seen Silas move to West London on loan with a £13 million purchase clause in his contract.
“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,” Bild reporter Christian Falk told Caught Offside after the close of the winter window.
“The Stuttgart boss could only laugh and shake his head at this news.”
Stuttgart star Silas keen on Fulham move
Five months on, Fulham are once again hot on Silas’ heels. HITC understands that talks between The Cottagers and the jet-heeled attacker are underway again.
Stuttgart want £15 million with two years left on Silas’ contract. The spending power of the Premier League outfit, meanwhile, means Fulham are viewed as favourites as things stand ahead of Spanish side Villarreal and the perennial overachivers of French football; an RC Lens outfit who have just hired Will Still as Franck Haise’s replacement.
Silas, meanwhile, is keen on a move to the English capital.
While not a regular starter for Stuttgart in 2023/24, Silas still ended the campaign with seven goals and six assists in all competitions. His searing pace and excellent ball-carrying ability – the DR Congo international has quite the collection of mazy solo efforts – Silas was often used as a super sub by VFB coach Sebastian Hoeness.
Fulham already have a rapid-fire winger with similar strenghts in Adama Traore, though Silas is a far more consistent goal threat. The 25-year-old broke double figures in the Bundesliga back in 2020/21, and is slowly rediscovering that form again after a long spell on the sidelines with a ruptured ACL.
Likened to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Sven Mislintat, Stuttgart’s former director of football, sees similarities between Silas and his one-time Borussia Dortmund talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“There are some differences between them, of course, but also many, many similar things,” Mislintat told the Bundesliga website.
“(Aubameyang) learned quite a lot also from Jurgen Klopp in working defensively. If (forwards) adopt this and they are able to do this, they will become big, big stars in football with their qualities and mindsets. And this is what Silas did as well.
“Auba is more of a killer but, to be honest, he hadn’t (been a) hit at the age of 19 or 20 like Silas. Silas has become better and better and improved quite a lot.
“He is quieter (than Aubameyang) but very focused. He listens, he learns a lot. He knows exactly what he is. He’s aggressive. He is a winner.”
Silas, who prefers to play on the right, could offset the potential departure of Bobby DeCordova-Reid. The utility man will be a free-agent this summer and has caught the attention of Everton.
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