Premier League outfit Fulham are in talks for Luca Pellegrini but don’t want to pay more than £9 million for the Juventus man, according to Sport Mediaset, with ex-Wolves man Ruben Vinagre another option.
Two years ago, Fulham completed three signings in the final few hours of the summer transfer window; Joachim Andersen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tosin Adarabioyo. The only problem was, by that stage, the damage had been done.
The Cottagers were already nailed to the bottom of the Premier League table, having lost all of their opening four games. Had Andersen and Adarabioyo joined earlier that summer, perhaps Fulham would have survived.
So no wonder Marco Silva wants to ensure the club have learned from those mistakes. Per The Athletic, Silva wants up to ten new signings but was hoping that the majority of those would arrive long before the new season kicks off in August.
There are now just four weeks before Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage. And, much to Silva’s frustration, Joao Palhinha is Fulham’s only new face.
A deal for Israel international Manor Solomon remains in the balance, while Thomas Strakosha, Alex Moreno and Javi Galan appear to have slipped through Silva’s fingers. According to reports in Italy, Fulham are reluctant to meet Juventus’s £10.5 million asking price for Pellegrini as well.
Will Fulham sign Luca Pellegrini or Ruben Vinagre?
The Cottagers are in talks with the former Roma left-back but will pay a maximum of £9 million.
As such, former Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster Vinagre feels the more likely addition. Vinagre, despite only joining Sporting Lisbon for £8.6 million 12 months ago, is available on loan (Record). His arrival would, in theory, save up funds for further additions in attack or on the right-hand side, with Lyon captain and France international Leo Dubois another target.
“The talent is there. That’s why Vinagre is massively important to us,” then-Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo once said of the Portugal U21 international.
“He’s so versatile and can give us some different things during the game. He’s special.”
Nottingham Forest are also keen on Vinagre.
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