Fulham have now opened discussions with Tottenham Hotspur over a deal for Joe Rodon, with Marco Silva interested in the Wales defender after missing out on Alessio Romagnoli.
That’s according to Calciomercato, who report the Craven Cottage hierarchy have moved to speak with Spurs following Romagnoli electing to join Lazio as a free agent. The Italian is in the final processes of securing his switch to the Stadio Olimpico after leaving AC Milan.
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Fulham sought to convince Romagnoli of a move to the Premier League after his contract at the San Siro expired on June 30. But the chance to represent the Biancocelesti has seen the centre-back snub a potential switch to England for the club he supported in his youth.
Interest in Rodon is now gaining traction at Fulham, instead, with the 24-year-old not due to feature in Antonio Conte’s plans. The Italian tactician has often overlooked the 27-cap Wales talent since taking charge in north London, with Rodon featuring five times to date.
Only two of Rodon’s five appearances under Conte have also come during Premier League games for eight minutes so far. Those outings additionally came in Tottenham’s 36th and 37th games of last season following 22-straight top-flight fixtures as an unused substitute.
Joe Rodon is desperate to leave Tottenham amid fresh Fulham interest
The situation at Tottenham is such that the Evening Standard report Rodon is desperate to leave the club this summer. He would also consider leaving on loan to gain regular senior minutes ahead of the Qatar World Cup, amid further interest from Premier League outfits.
Frank Lampard is interested to taking Rodon to Everton, per Alex Crook, should Tottenham allow the Fulham target to leave. He also has continental interest, with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting Jose Mourinho is considering reuniting with his former Spurs defender at Roma.
Mourinho was behind Rodon’s £11m, rising up to £15m, move to Spurs from Swansea City in 2020. Yet he, too, seldom trusted the 6 ft 3 star hailed for his ‘dominant’ Wales displays, with the Swansea-born enforcer playing just 13 times under the Portuguese, starting nine.
Silva may now offer Rodon what Mourinho and Conte have not should Tottenham listen to Fulham’s interest. The Cottagers want to sign a centre-back this summer after winning the Championship, but TuttoMercatoWEB note Romagnoli’s Lazio medical started on Tuesday.
Romagnoli has also snubbed a more lucrative contract with Fulham to join Lazio, as TMW previously noted the Cottagers offered him €4m-a-year (£65k-a/w). Yet he has chosen the Biancocelesti, who Calciomercato report will pay him €3m-a-year (£49k-a/w) plus bonuses.
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