Fulham could bid for Silva favourite, also want his £8m teammate

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Fulham could look to reunite Marco Silva with two of his former Watford stars as Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah face uncertain futures at the Premier League outfit, as reported by The Athletic. 

With many at Vicarage Road already dreading the departure of a man who pulled the strings, broke the lines and set the tempo during last season’s promotion-winning campaign, Hughes’ absence from Watford’s pre-season training camp at St George’s Park will have done little to allay those fears. 

The Athletic claims Hughes was left at home, the former Derby County talisman having failed to agree a new contract in Hertfordshire.  

His current deal expires in 2022, with Crystal Palace entering talks with a man who has previously been linked with Newcastle United and Aston Villa.  

Newcastle’s inertia means a move to St James’ Park looks highly unlikely at this stage, however, while Villa appear to be focusing on other options, including James Ward-Prowse and another Watford ace in Ismaila Sarr, as they prepare for life post-Jack Grealish. 

Will Fulham raid Watford for Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah?

The report does add, however, that Marco Silva wouldn’t be against the idea of reuniting with Hughes at Craven Cottage.

Whether the 26-year-old would consider a return to the Championship – having only escaped the second tier two months ago – remains to be seen.

His £50,000-a-week wages could be another stumbling block.

Like Hughes, England international Chalobah is also due to become a free agent in 2022 and could struggle for game time this season following the expensive acquisition of Imran Louza from Nantes.

Marco Silva would likely welcome the opportunity to work with the former Chelsea youngster again.

“Chalobah is a high-quality player,” Silva told the Liverpool Echo in 2019 as his Everton side were preparing for a top-flight clash with the Hornets.

Fulham have already snapped up Harry Wilson and goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, while Flamengo striker Rodrigo Muniz has agreed a £7 million switch to west London.