Premier League newcomers Fulham face competition from Benfica for Erick Gutierrez and have been given a helping hand by Roma in their pursuit of Manor Solomon, according to reports.
Money cannot buy you everything your heart desires. It certainly doesn’t buy you guaranteed top-flight survival.
Fulham found that out the hard way in the summer of 2018, when they splashed out around £100 million on Alfie Mawson, Jean Michel Seri and Maxime Le Marchand, only to end up right back where they started again.
The Cottagers didn’t break the bank to such a degree two years later. But, despite the impressive form of Alphonse Areola, Joachim Andersen and Tosin Adarabioyo, their stay in the Premier League once again proved to be little more than a flying visit.
Have Fulham learned their lessons? Only time will tell.
Third time lucky?
After sealing promotion back to the big time this week, the West London outfit certainly aren’t waiting around as they look to strengthen a squad that has made mincemeat out of the Championship.
Fulham have agreed a bargain £7 million fee with Shakhtar Donetsk for their snake-hipped winger Manor Solomon. An Israel international likened to Eden Hazard, Solomon scored twice in the Champions League against Real Madrid not long ago and will sign a five-year deal worth £25,000-a-week at Craven Cottage.
And Fulham have received a helping hand from their old West London neighbour, Jose Mourinho. According to Sport UA, Roma were offered the chance to sign Solomon. But Mourinho turned his nose up at the one-time Manchester City target.
Fulham are also looking at PSV Eindhoven’s £5 million Mexico midfielder Erick Gutierrez. The hard-running 26-year-old is also a target for Portuguese giants Benfica, however, according to JN.
Sealing a deal, for Fulham, may be easier said than done. Especially with Roger Schmidt, Gutierrez’s current PSV boss, set to take over at the Estadio da Luz this summer.
The Cottagers are reportedly bidding for Internacional’s Caio Vidal too, and are also eyeing Bolton Wanderers winger Dapo Afolayan.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
