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

It’s been a sluggish start to the January transfer window for Fulham, but being only just over a week-and-a-half into the crucial recruitment period, business is sure to grow in momentum and materialisation as the days rumble onward.

Slavisa Jokanovic supposedly wants to add 3 specific players to his armoury throughout the month and boy, have we accumulated a mouth-watering array of professionals thus far.

But, have no fear, there’s more to come from the press, and though Philippe Coutinho’s mega money switch to FC Barcelona is monopolising the back pages, the Whites are involved in some rather palatable links themselves since our last edition. Here’s another 5 circulating transfer rumours to ponder, a fresh fix to get you stroking your chin vigorously on these bitterly chilly winter days.

Matt Targett 

Though Fulham have an adept Rafa Soares at their disposal, the Cottagers – according to a report published by Sky Sports – are supposedly hot on Matt Targett’s heels, with the club vying to lure the left-back on a 6 month loan deal from Premier League outfit Southampton.

Behind Ryan Bertrand and Sam McQueen in the Saints’ pecking order, Targett – who unfortunately suffered an ankle injury earlier this season – is subsequently first choice out of the trio to make a temporary departure from St. Mary’s, though as Fulham have a void to fill on the left flank, the 22-year-old has been earmarked as a perfect figure to take the somewhat vacant position by the scruff of the neck.

Ryan Sessegnon is factually a winger and his awe-inspiring goal-scoring record rubber stamps his credentials as such, and with Targett, a dogged, driven full-back on board until the end of the campaign, it would ensure that the flourishing 17-year-old hogs the offensive duties on the left touchline, where he’s unquestionably the most effective to the Whites’ cause.

Sehrou Guirrassy

Aboubakar Kamara may be firing with both barrels as of late, but it’s come to prominence that Fulham – subject to a tweet posted by Mark Walsh – are supposedly keen on snagging FC Koln striker Sehrou Guirassy on a permanent deal.

Guirassy, 21, has scored 7 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga stragglers and also dispatched a penalty against Arsenal in the Europa League to ensure his squad claimed 3 points with a 1-0 victory, so the Frenchman, despite not possessing the most profitable tally, instinctively knows how to beat the keeper – and from the spot, that’s a tremendous bonus.

It’s thought that Jokanovic would have to fork out at least £4.5m for the attacker, but with Rui Fonte being equivalent to wet gunpowder this season, it could prove to be a sensible, savvy venture, a signing which would act as a much needed rocket for the faltering Portuguese target-man, if he wants to salvage a starting spot in the Whites’ starting XI.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson

Another left-back in Manchester United’s Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has been associated with a trip on loan towards the river in the current transfer window, as it’s surface – according to a report published by Daily Mail – that the Red Devils have opted to terminate the 20-year-old’s temporary stay at Leeds United prematurely.

With Laurens De Bock joining the Peacocks, Borthwick-Jackson’s formally unrivalled status at Elland Road was duly compromised, and with United eager to supply the young full-back with invaluable first-team football on a regular basis, Fulham have indeed been shortlisted as a possible destination for the remainder of the campaign.

Although the Whites have competition in Reading to contend with for the England U20 international, as both squads are more than aware of the qualities within the prospering defender’s locker, after impressing during his loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers for the first half of last term.

OUT: Kevin McDonald

Being dubbed vice-captain by Slav’ at the start of the campaign, Kevin McDonald has showcased his skill sets on 23 occasions for Fulham to date this season, and it’s believed that fellow Championship duo Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough as well as the SPL’s Rangers are all thirsty for his accomplished, demonstrative presence on the pitch – according to The Sun, (via Get West London).

The proposed £1.5m figure, however, is quite frankly utterly insulting, as the Scotsman is undoubtedly one of the finest defensive-midfielders in the division. Although it’s said that the Whites, if they were prepared to sell the 29-year-old, would be after a sum of £7m, which definitely has a much better ring to it.

‘KMac’ was quoted to be “enjoying” life at the Cottage in the summer, so whilst presuming that his attitude is still as it was, loyalty will ultimately send the insubstantial rumours of a departure to bed without a peep or a whimper.

OUT: Michael Madl 

Seemingly frozen out of Jokanovic’s plans, Sky Sports Austria understand that FK Austria Wien are willing to offer Micheal Madl a fresh lifeline in his homeland, in order to reignite the 29-year-old centre-half’s dormant career after making just 2 appearances for the Whites this season in the Carabao Cup.

Franz Wohlfhart, Wien’s sporting director, said: “The interest is there. We are in negotiations,” and though the Austrian centre-back is admired by many a Fulham fan, his supposed sale almost certainly clears the way for a new centre-half to arrive in his place.

Fulham signed Madl from Sturm Graz in January 2016, so after just two seasons at the club, it looks as though the slight, yet deceptive defender is likely to return to the Austrian Bundesliga imminently – if this is to be the case, he’ll be sorely missed, as he’s more than capable of rekindling his career in his current surroundings by the Thames.