Fulham’s transfer plans gathering pace as key players need replacing
After another solid campaign in the Premier League, Fulham’s hierarchy will be keen to give Marco Silva some additional tools to cement their top-flight status even further next season. After all, given the competitive nature of the competition, clubs at the top and the bottom of the table need to continually refresh their squads as they attempt to evolve and achieve further success.
For Fulham, success at the moment generally means securing their Premier League status for another season, although Silva and the clubs’ hierarchy could be targeting a higher finish next campaign. The West London-based club have shown they belong in the biggest and best league around, but with some key players departing and some big-spending clubs expected to flex their financial muscles in the coming weeks, Fulham need to do similar as they attempt to stay ahead of the relegation pack and become a force in the Premier League.
Fulham fans are certainly a realistic lot. None of them will be demanding Champions League qualification next season and backing it up with a bet after assessing any Premier League odds, but they won’t entertain stagnation. Should the club find themselves in a relegation battle next season, though, then anger probably won’t ensue either. What Fulham fans will demand is a show of ambition and some sort of a plan, and so far, the club appears to be executing a somewhat successful strategy since winning promotion back to the big league in 2022.
Fulham have two key players to replace
While the Cottagers have adapted well to life back in the Premier League, there will be some concerns around what next season might hold. Despite there being a clear plan in place, the club – and Marco Silva – are having to contend with losing two key men in the shape of Tosin Adarabioyo, who has joined rivals Chelsea, and the likely departure of João Palhinha, who looks set to join Bayern Munich in the near future. Both players have been integral to Fulham’s impressive showings in recent times and will be tough to replace.
Thankfully, while some of Fulham’s faithful will be concerned at losing two integral performers, there are numerous reports linking the club with some interesting additions. Fulham need to refresh the squad and fill the void both players will undoubtedly leave, and they appear to be assessing their options as we speak.
Morten Hjulmand is being looked at as Joao Palhinha’s replacement
Given the protection he provides for the defence behind him, replacing Joao Palhinha’s combative displays will be tricky. A master at breaking up attacks, the ball-winning specialist and tidy midfield general’s successor appears to be Morten Hjulmand. According to reports, Marco Silva and Fulham’s recruitment team are showing serious interest in Sporting CP’s defensive midfielder. The club Fulham acquired Joao Palhinha from, the Danish international has also been linked with Manchester United after shining for the Portuguese giants for some time now. Also standing out for Lecce during his time in Italy, Hjulmand is known to be a leader and has been ever-present for Sporting, amassing over 3,500 minutes of game time across 49 appearances in all competitions, while also managing to chip in with four goals and four assists. Hopefully, Fulham’s reported interest will turn Kasper Hjulmand’s head.
Trevoh Chalobah could come in for Tosin
Losing Tosin Adarabioyo is a blow for Fulham, but reports suggesting the club are near the front of the queue for Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah might please some supporters. Just two years ago, Chalobah was a mainstay in the Blues’ defence, before managerial changes and new ideas resulted in his game time becoming fairly limited. Since then, Chelsea’s 24-year-old versatile defender has reportedly run out of patience and is expected to seek a new challenge in the coming weeks. Whether it’s a loan deal or a permanent transfer is unknown, but given the potential relationship that has been established with Chelsea’s recruitment team following the Tosin Adarabioyo deal, acquiring the services of Chalobah could be easier than expected.
Fulham are one of many clubs linked with Crysencio Summerville
One of the hottest properties outside of the Premier League right now, Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville is expected to depart the Yorkshire club in the coming weeks. Alongside the likes of Chelsea, West Ham, Brentford, and Brighton, the Dutchman is reportedly on Fulham’s radar. A statement signing should Fulham manage to pull it off, Leeds United’s most dangerous attacking outlet has been in fantastic form recently, with his undoubted skill tormenting defences and his all-round creativity bringing so much to Leeds United’s attacking arsenal. Whether or not the former Feyenoord player can make the step up to the Premier League remains to be seen, but he certainly has the hunger and the required ability to do so.
Stuttgart forward Silas Katompa Mvumpa is being considered
Although the defensive unit needs strengthening, given the aforementioned departures that Marco Silva is having to contend with, there is a need to add more goals to this Fulham team. As such, reports linking Fulham to £15 million-rated Stuttgart forward Silas Katompa Mvumpa make a lot of sense. A player who helped his side finish second in the Bundesliga and ahead of Bayern Munich in 2023/24, Silas has been on the club’s radar for over a year and appears to be a player the Cottagers really want. Even in January, the club were reportedly attempting to snap him up on loan with a view to making his move permanent for £13 million come the end of the season, but Stuttgart’s bosses rejected the deal. Now, though, with the lure of the Premier League undoubtedly aiding their chances, plus the season’s end representing more of a chance for the German side to replace such an integral player, Fulham could get a deal done.
