The Derby County loanee is wanted back at his parent club.
Fulham took on Brighton in the Championship today and went into the game without striker Chris Martin yet again.
The Derby County loanee insists he was injured for the game but it appears he wants a return to his parent club – now managed by former boss Steve McClaren.
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic
Jokanovic has spoken to getwestlondon about the situation after the defeat against Brighton – joking that the Derby boss must not have understood him when he told him Martin was going nowhere last month:
“There don’t exist any options for Derby to recall him. Derby tried to offer him more money and more years but this solution doesn’t exist and he’ll stay for the rest of the season.
“This is my position and is Fulham’s position too. That’s it.
“He’s still trying to explain to us that he’s injured. My medical department didn’t find any problem at the moment.
“All the players have to be at the games when they don’t play. It’s the same rules for him too. I didn’t check today because I have more important things to do.
“I’ve spoken to him (McClaren). We played against Derby four weeks ago and Steve asked me about Chris Martin and he explained to me that he liked this player.
“I explained that he is under contract and I want to stay with him and I recommended him looking in the market for another option. He probably doesn’t understand my English very well.”
It is certainly proving to be a bizarre situation surrounding Martin.
Chris Martin of Fulham scores their second goal
He is contracted on loan at Craven Cottage until the end of the season and all three parties must agree if he is to head back to Pride Park.
Derby and Martin are clearly keen but Fulham, and rightly so, are staying resolute.
Martin was loaned to Fulham by Nigel Pearson at the start of the season, who has since been sacked and replaced with McClaren.
The former England boss has a good relationship with Martin and wants him back, especially as he has scored seven goals in his last 11 games.
Hopefully a resolution can be found soon, as this situation is starting to become very ugly.
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