The Fulham fans will know all too well the way London buses tend to operate.
So those familiar with the quirks of the timetable will understand what it means when similarities are drawn between catching a bus in the capital and the make-up of Fulham’s transfer window.
You wait so long for one signing, and then a handful arrive at once.
The Cottagers confirmed the arrival of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal for an initial £27 million on Friday – the so-called ‘Croyden de Bruyne’ looking for a fresh start in the west of the city after struggling for opportunities in the north.
There appears to be a belief, meanwhile, that a compromise will be reached in discussions with Manchester United for Scott McTominay. HITC understands that there is a far-from-bridgeable £7 million gap between the fee Fulham are offering and the fee United are holding out for.
Then, there is Jorge Cuenca.
Fulham make progress on Jorge Cuenca and Scott McTominay
HITC reported earlier in the week that a five-year deal had been agreed with the former Spain Under 21 and Barcelona prospect.
Villarreal’s sporting director Miguel Angel Tena then confirmed that Cuenca is ‘travelling to Fulham’ ahead of his medical tests.
“Jorge trained yesterday afternoon and is travelling to the Fulham camp,” Tena says, via Tribal Football. “He has to pass the medical examination.
“And, when the time is right, we will make it official if everything is OK.”
Fulham reached August with only the returning Ryan Sessegnon through the door, the former fans’ favourite joining on a free transfer after his Tottenham Hotspur contract expired.
By the time next weekend rolls round, however, Sessegnon could find himself joined by Cuenca and McTominay as well as Smith Rowe, should things go as planned.
And while Fulham coach Marco Silva would not be drawn on any specific names, he did offer some insight as to why the Cottagers might have ended up prioritising Cuenca instead of, say, Benfica stopper Morato.
Heavily linked with Fulham over the last 12 months, Mais Futebol reported in May that the Morato was still on the radar.
But with the Estadio da Luz enforcer valued at around £21 million, Fulham are now closing in on fellow left-footer Cuenca for a third of Benfica’s asking price.
“It’s not easy to sign (players) in Portugal,” Silva told Record after Alex Iwobi scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Roger Schmidt’s side in the Algarve.
“It’s very difficult to sign young players and experienced players too. This year doesn’t seem like the year to hire in Portugal (although) anything can happen until the end of the market.”
Marco Silva discusses Joao Palhinha’s Bayern Munich switch
Silva also opened up on the deal that took talismanic defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich.
The former Everton and Watford boss admits that Palhinha had reached the natural end of his time at Craven Cottage.
Fulham remain interested on long-term target Andre Trindade as they look to move on from the Portugal powerhouse, with Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt confirming that an offer has arrived.
“It’s part of the club’s life but unfortunately we didn’t just lose Joao. Last year it was (Aleksandr) Mitrovic. This year Joao broke the sales record. We lost more important players,” Silva sighs.
“As for Joao, he had two great seasons. He developed to a level that allowed him to be a starter for our national team and to be wanted by a club like Bayern. It was time for him to go.
“It’s part of our history to help clubs and develop players. We don’t like to lose our strength – naturally we were stronger with him – but we have to sign a player who can play a different role.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
