Fulham are in talks with Lyon over a deal for Leo Dubois with Marco Silva interested in the right-back’s services, so will hope he fares better than these Frenchmen at Craven Cottage.
The west London side have turned attentions to the Groupama Stadium in Silva’s search of a new starting option on the back of securing promotion from the Championship last term. Neco Williams had become his first-choice, but has since returned to parent club Liverpool.
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Finding a replacement for Williams is one of Silva’s main priorities as the Portuguese looks to build a team capable of avoiding relegation. The Athletic report he wants as many as 10 new outfield faces brought to the club, but has so far only got one in £20m Joao Palhinha.
Fulham are interested in Dubois deal as Lyon captain leads free agent Sidibe
Now, L’Equipe report Fulham are in talks with Lyon to discuss Silva’s interest in the Ligue 1 giant’s captain, Dubois. The 27-year-old has moved to the top of the Cottagers’ shortlist to end their search for a new right-back, ahead of Djibril Sidibe – who Monaco have released.
But Craven Cottage chiefs have only requested a loan deal for Dubois, while Lyon want to sell the 13-cap international. Les Gones hope to offload him this summer for €8m (£7m) as 19-year-old Malo Gusto claimed the starting role in boss Peter Bosz’s backline last season.
Dubois would not be against leaving Lyon after four seasons at the club, especially for the chance to try a foreign league. The FC Nantes product has so far exclusively plied his trade in France, making 106 first-team appearances with La Maison Jaune before 129 with Lyon.
Fiorentina could rival Fulham for Dubois’ transfer, too, with the Serie A side also interested in the Lyon skipper. But the Viola are prioritising a deal for Dodo of Shakhtar Donetsk, who Globo noted in late June the Stadio Artemio Franchi outfit have offered €15m (£13m) for.
Fulham, then, may hold the advantage in the race to sign Dubois from Lyon with Fiorentina focusing their interest on Dodo. So, Silva would hope he fares better in west London than some of the Craven Cottage natives’ previous French stars who failed to make the grade…
Mollo made Fulham move for first English adventure like Dubois could amid interest
Yohan Mollo made his move to England with Fulham in 2017 like Dubois can this summer with Silva interested. The Cottagers signed the forward from Zenit St Petersburg to boost their push for promotion, but agreed to mutually terminate his contract in January 2018.
He featured just six times whilst in west London for a total of 219 minutes, but did create one assist. Mollo made Neeskens Kebano’s 89th-minute effort in a 3-1 win at Nottingham Forest during his third outing from a potential five Championship fixtures as a substitute.
Dacourt could not recapture Everton or Leeds form after Fulham switch
Olivier Dacourt could not recapture his form in England with Everton or Leeds United after joining Fulham in 2009. The Cottagers brought the midfield anchor back to Britain on loan from Inter Milan in the mid-season market, but he failed to make a single start at the club.
Fulham gave Dacourt 12 appearances in all competitions for 293 minutes, but each came as a substitute. He also watched seven of a potential 16 Premier League fixtures from the dugout after failing to win over then head coach Roy Hodgson before returning to Italy.
The 21-cap international had produced a stronger spell while on Everton and Leeds’ books. The Toffees gave Dacourt his first chance to play in the Premier League from 1998 to 1999 that returned 30 top-flight games. He later enjoyed 57 with Leeds between 2000 and 2003.
Ehui failed to make first-team breakthrough after Fulham promotion
Ismael Ehui sought to make his breakthrough in senior football with Fulham after penning a professional deal at Craven Cottage. But it was not to be, as the Lille-born striker never played any first-team games in west London between loans to Scunthorpe and Carshalton.
He eventually left Fulham in 2008 and joined Harrow Borough, having failed to replicate a prolific youth record. Ehui’s career has gone on to feature a number of non-league outfits, including Northwood FC who re-signed the forward last year for his third spell at the club.
Sahnoun struggled during Frenchman’s only spell in England in 2001
Nicolas Sahnoun struggled during the Frenchman’s sole spell in England in 2001 whilst on loan from Girondins de Bordeaux. The Cottagers acquired the midfielder in the mid-season market, but he would only make nine appearances – with seven coming in the second-tier.
He also only started four times and never returned to British shores with Sahnoun’s career keeping him in France and twice taking him to Spain. The Bordeaux-born technician left his hometown team for UD Almeria in 2004, while also later playing for Dijon and Montpellier.
Keller played just 15 minutes of league action whilst with Fulham
Francois Keller played just 15 minutes of league action whilst with Fulham during the latter half of the Cottagers’ 1998/99 title-winning third-tier season. He also only appeared in two matchday squads, having debuted against Burnley and watched on against Northampton.
The Clarets clash gave Keller his bow at the first time of asking, but he otherwise struggled to stay in Kevin Keegan’s plans. Failing to force a way back into the Fulham side would see Keller return to RC Strasbourg in 1999, where he played from 1995-98 and from ‘99-2003.
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