Transfer Talk: Rumours You’ll Hear This January Part II

A second installment of noises which have been banded around the rumour mill since our last venture, and it seems that the transfer window for Fulham is beginning to take relative shape with what’s been muttered, contrived and speculated upon between both the fans and indeed the press.

Much like before, every link comes with its own significant intrigue, and whilst Slavisa Jokanovic is presumably limbering himself to delve into the hierarchy’s pockets to bolster his resurgent contingent, here’s another 4 potential signings and 1 questionable outgoing to keep a beady eye on as the January transfer window cannons towards its close, slowly, but surely.

Dwight Gayle

Towards the back end of the summer transfer period, Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle was strongly touted for a move to Fulham and due to a report provided by Shields Gazette, which suggests that Magpies boss Rafa Benitez prefers the services Ayoze Perez has to offer in the offensive department, a flurry of familiar sounds have resonated around his future at St. James’ Park, warranting some notable attention down by the River Thames.

A lack of undisputed starting contention has alerted those involved with Fulham, especially the supporters, with many an avid follower believing that the Cottagers will be able to offer the 27-year-old the necessary involvement required to get the best out of the former Crystal Palace hit-man in the second half of the 2017-18 Championship campaign, if his future is to be elsewhere, that is.

Chris Martin

In December, 2017, Derby County’s manager expressed in a report provided by Derby Telegraph that he is “open-minded” when it comes to weighing-up a player’s future at the turn of the new year, including our old friend, Chris Martin, who has supposedly been on Championship table-toppers Wolverhampton Wanderers’ radar in recent weeks as they plan to deepen their rich, efficient attacking ranks.

Oddly enough, however, the Scotsman has been loosely heralded for a mid-season switch back to Craven Cottage, a stadium where he self professedly loathed to be, so much so that he even occasionally went on strike during his controversial loan stint at Fulham last term.

With just one measly goal to his name, Martin has had a horrendous season with the Rams thus far, but if Jokanovic is willing to have him back in the fold – no matter how desperately unlikely it is – perhaps the stroppy target-man would strive to rekindle his scoring form and motivation to prove his worth once more. Queue the boo-boys.

Lewis Grabban

It’s become apparent that Lewis Grabban’s parent club Bournemouth – according to a report published by Somerset Live – are considering to recall the striker from Sunderland, to where he’s currently on loan and has scored 12 goals for, in order to flog him for good in January.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe allegedly has no intention of allowing Grabban to reintegrate back into his set-up on the south coast, meaning that a collection of Championship outfits, including Wolves, are said to be monitoring the situation closely.

Molineux appears to be on the hunt for a new marksman, but given the nature and theme of this article for one, Fulham are also scouring the market for a proven, clinical attacker to aid and contend with Aboubakar Kamara and Rui Fonte.

So if Grabban, 29, is indeed to be, well, up for grabs in the coming weeks, maybe Slav will have a flexed index finger, phone and Yellow Pages primed and at the ready. If that’s a feasible scenario – Dean Court, answer the blower.

Jack Marriott

Having smashed in 17 goals so far this season for Peterborough United, Jack Marriott – according to a report published by ClubCall – is a name which is pleasing the ears of an array of Championship clubs, including Leeds United, Aston Villa and Sunderland.

Being League 1’s highest scorer, the 23-year-old could presumably seamlessly replicate his prolific form in England’s second-tier, and if it’s goals Fulham are pining for, they’d have no need to look any further than the Posh’s deadly weapon.

Marriott is only 6 months deep into his 4-year deal at London Road following a summer switch from Luton Town, however he’s had no problem adapting to a loftier division.

The Whites, if they’re to enter the race to unsettle the original chasers, will have to move fast if they’re to claim pole position, as Leeds allegedly sent scouts out on Boxing Day to watch the developing hotshot against Bradford City, where he snagged himself a brace in a 3-1 victory.

OUT – Ryan Fredericks

Piled in amongst all the tantalising potential acquisitions Fulham could land themselves, it’s also evident that our own squad is also being monitored. Subject to a tweet posted by the Guardian’s Ed Aarons, Stoke City have allegedly tabled a bid worth £3m in order to purchase our flying right-back Ryan Fredericks, who is incidentally out of contract at the Cottage in the summer.

Stoke have offered £3m for Fulham’s Ryan Fredericks. Defender is out of contract in the summer

— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 4, 2018

An assured, direct, trailblazing outlet for the Whites on the right flank, Fredericks, 25, has definitely been one of the club’s stand-out performers and the Potters are very much awake to the qualities he has to offer both with the ball and without it. Since joining Fulham in 2015 from Bristol City, the full-back has become a mainstay in Jokanovic’s defensive battalion, with 73 appearances under his belt.

It’s feared that the glitz and riches of the Premier League could tempt Fredericks away from his current promotion-tailing employers, but if there’s any loyalty in the game, the club would be quick to offer his a renewal to ensure he stays put past the January window indefinitely.