Fulham have seen an £18 million bid for Portuguese defender, Morato rejected by Benfica as Marco Silva sets up his search for a new centre-back this summer.
The report from the Daily Mail states that Fulham have a long-held interest in the centre-back. Talks reportedly began with Benfica last week and it seems a bid for the 22-year-old has been made, although it seems the offer falls short of the Portuguese giants’ valuation.
The defender struggled with injury last season, after featuring in the opening four games and doing well, an ankle injury stopped that good progress in its tracks. This meant the defender didn’t feature again for Benfica until the turn of the year and has been limited to just nine league appearances this season but has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season.
The defender was signed four years ago from Brazilian giants Sao Paulo and has since gone on to make over 50 appearances for the first team but he is seemingly determined to make the move to the Premier League.
‘He’s asked to leave’
According to the same report by Sami Mokbel in the Daily Mail, the player is keen to make the move to Craven Cottage and has told Benfica that he wants to leave in a bid to accelerate the move.
The defender is what you could describe as a modern-day centre-back. According to FBREF, the player excels with his passing, particularly his progressive passing, as well as his progressive carries. It would be a smart addition for Fulham if they could get the deal over the line, dependent on what Benifica will demand for the 22-year-old.
At six-foot-two, Morato would also be competent in the air for Fulham and a potential weapon from set-pieces. It would also be a smooth transition period for the defender, with former Sporting player and fellow Portuguese international, Joao Palhinha ahead of him, it will surely make his adaptation to the Premier League an easier one.
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