Fulham will need to replace the Derby County striker this summer.
Former Fulham loanee Chris Martin
Fulham are already a man down in their quest for Championship promotion next season, with Chris Martin returning to Derby County after their recent near miss.
The Scotland international signed a new deal with his parent club in January, which suggests he won’t be returning to Craven Cottage.
So to whom should Slavisa Jokanovic turn instead of Martin, who scored 10 goals and made another three in the league this past campaign?
Birmingham City’s Lukas Jutkiewicz could be an option…
Why him?
Birmingham City striker Lukas Jutkiewicz
He’s a player who very much fits the Martin-target-man mould, not to mention one who outscored and assisted his Fulham counterpart – by one and one respectively – in a far worse side. His solitary strike was enough to down the Cottagers at St Andrew’s in February.
Would Birmingham sell him?
Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp
Jutkiewicz only moved to Blues permanently in January, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal in the Second City. That was, however, under a different manager – who had himself replaced the man who loaned the striker initially – and Harry Redknapp may have different players in mind [*cough* Peter Crouch].
So could Fulham get him?
Derby County manager Gary Rowett
Although his sale is perhaps unlikely at this stage, there are bound to be plenty of suitors should Jutkiewicz become available. Derby are said to have been sniffing in January, however with Martin back and a new man in charge, the Rams may have moved on – even if that man is Gary Rowett, the 28-year-old’s first Birmingham boss. Fulham, though, will be an attractive proposition after the season they’ve had, and have as a good a chance as any.
Should Fulham move for Jutkiewicz after Martin’s return to Derby County?
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