Jokanovic again at odds with Fulham hierarchy over transfers

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has warned the club not to sell in-demand forward Sone Aluko – and says his list of transfer targets has been “ignored”.

Several bids have been rejected for Aluko, who arrived as a free agent last summer and impressed as the Whites reached the play-offs.

West London Sport understands the club want to keep Aluko and could offer him a contract extension, but accept his value has increased following his displays last term.

Speaking after his side’s 3-0 loss to Wolfsburg in their final pre-season friendly, Jokanovic said: “I have to fight for Sone Aluko, because around me is some news that we are thinking about selling him.

“If we do this, it will be a big mistake for my team.

“If we want to be better, we need to bring quality people into our squad. At this moment, I don’t observe my team as at the highest level, as we were last season.

“In the future, we are going to need some quality players in different positions – at centre-back and striker and we didn’t replace Scott Malone, who was a really important player for us.

“My list is completely ignored. In this moment, we decide to follow one way [in which] I didn’t find so much sense.

“I don’t feel any responsibility for the recruitment process. But I am going to show my ambition for working with the team on the pitch and show respect to my players, to supporters and my family to push hard to do everything to be successful.”

Jokanovic said he expected goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who limped off against Wolfsburg, to be fit for Saturday’s Championship opener against Norwich.

Tom Cairney, Kevin McDonald and Neeskens Kebano all missed the game with slight injuries, but should also be available.