January Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Part 1

Silly season is upon us once again. The summer transfer window was turbulent to say the least, and though we’d acquired a whole new XI before the start of the 2018-19 campaign, we’re languishing in the Premier League’s drop zone.

Slavisa Jokanovic is no more and Claudio Ranieri is now in the hot seat at Craven Cottage in place of the repudiated Serb. It’s believed that the Khans will back the experienced Italian in the January transfer window, as there’s undoubtedly a series of chinks in our armour that need welding. But who will the ‘Tinker Man’ target, you ask? Well, we at Fulhamish have you covered.

We’ve been linked with an extensive array of maybe men over recent weeks, and though others have seemingly seeped out of the darkest corners of the web, here’s the main selection of brow-raisers that have surfaced within the media spectrum, plausible or farcical.

Gary Cahill – Chelsea

A forgotten figurehead at Stamford Bridge, Sky Sports News understands that Fulham are tailing Chelsea’s decorated centre-half Gary Cahill. The Whites are allegedly angling for a 6-month loan deal in order to shore up their leaky defensive department.

Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz have formed a formidable partnership in the heart of the Blues’ rearguard, meaning that Cahill, 32, has been limited to making just 7 outings in all competitions under Maurizio Sarri.

Danny Simpson – Leicester City

A report published by Daily Mail suggests that Ranieri is pondering a mid-season swoop for Leicester City’s Danny Simpson, who is incidentally out of contract at the King Power Stadium in the summer.

The right-back was a trusted component in Ranieri’s historic Foxes fold that won the 2015-16 Premier League title, and as Leicester understand that the 31-year-old could depart for free once the current season comes to a close, they’re supposedly vying to recoup some funds in the January transfer period.

Danny Drinkwater – Chelsea

Another crucial member of Ranieri’s earth-shattering Leicester contingent, The Express reports that Chelsea’s surplus central midfielder Danny Drinkwater is said to be on Fulham’s transfer radar.

It’s believed that the Whites are willing to snag the industrious 28-year-old on a 6-month loan deal from their SW6 neighbours. Despite joining the Blues in 2017 for £30m, Drinkwater has only made 1 solitary appearance this term for his current employers.

Victor Moses – Chelsea

If Fulham and Crystal Palace are to prise Victor Moses from Chelsea’s clasp, the fellow Londoners will supposedly have to match the Blues’ £12m valuation of the versatile Nigerian international – according to The Sun.

Moses is capable of competing in a range of roles along the right channel and was a regular representative at right wingback under Antonio Conte. But, under Sarri’s supervision, the 27-year-old’s been overlooked and it’s thought that the former Eagles man could head for pastures new in the coming weeks.

Shinji Okazaki – Leicester City

Ranieri’s potential raid of his former club doesn’t stop there, because The Sunday Mirror (via HITC) believes that Japan international Shinji Okazaki could also be on his way down to the river to reunite with the journeyed manager.

Okazaki partnered Jamie Vardy in Leicester’s potent offensive corps during the fabled 2015-16 season, and the 32-year-old live wire’s proven potency would undoubtedly reinvigorate Fulham’s thin strike force.

Nathaniel Clyne – Liverpool

Across Stanley Park, Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne could be on his way out of Anfield on a temporary basis, and a report published by The Mirror indicates that Fulham, Cardiff City and Leicester City are allegedly monitoring the availability of the 27-year-old right-back.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold firing on all cylinders for the Reds, the England international’s had to gaze on from the sidelines. A brief switch back down to the capital could kick-start his stagnant career, which has also been blighted by various injury woes.

Pedro Obiang – West Ham United

Pedro Obiang would certainly instil a solidity within Fulham’s midfield, although if the Cottagers are serious in their alleged pursuit of the physical Spaniard, The Sun denotes that West Ham United could insist upon acquiring Tom Cairney in return.

Obiang, 26, has failed to make an impact upon Manuel Pellegrini’s plans at the Hammers and a swift switch away from Straftford could be ideal. Although the Irons’ potential interest in Cairney could scupper the Whites’ venture, if they’re reluctant to part company with the exalted club captain.

Antonio Candreva – Inter Milan

Fulham, according to Football Italia, are said to be eyeing a 6-month loan deal for Inter Milan’s 31-year-old winger Antonio Candreva, who is struggling to establish himself within Luciano Spalletti’s blueprints at the Nerazzurri.

It’s thought that Candreva rebuffed an offer from AS Monaco in the summer as he wished to prove himself at the San Siro. But with Keita Balde Diao and Lautaro Martinez excelling on the flanks for the Serie A giants, the Italy international could be on his way out of the exit door on a short-term excursion.

Islam Slimani – Leicester City (On Loan at Fenerbahce SK)

Subject to an article published by The Telegraph, Fulham are thought to be ready to relocate Leicester City’s Islam Slimani in January, if Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce SK opt to cut the Algerian striker’s loan deal short in the new year.

The Foxes record signing (£29m), Slimani joined Sarı Lacivertliler from his parent employers in the summer but has only netted once during his momentary stint at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

Jonjo Shelvey – Newcastle United

Rafa Benitez insists there’s very little chance of Jonjo Shelvey leaving Newcastle United in January, although one of the 26-year-old’s potential suitors Fulham – as per The Sun – could twist the Spaniard’s arm with a particularly tantalising proposition.

Similar to the situation he could find himself in if he’s to obtain Pedro Obiang from West Ham United, Ranieri may use Tom Cairney as a makeweight for the temperamental Charlton Athletic graduate. Benitez is an admirer of TC’s services and has previously expressed his infatuation with the Scotland international.

Domagoj Vida – Besiktas JK

A commanding figure in Croatia’s superb 2018 World Cup squad, Turkish outlet Fotomac (via HITC) understands that Fulham are plotting a move for Besiktas JK’s centre-back Domagoj Vida.

Ranieri’s Whites require reinforcements at the back and Vida, 29, certainly fits the bill in terms of brawn and leadership. Besiktas are troubled financially and could be influenced to flog the enforcer for a subsidised sum. It’s thought that Vida possesses a lofty £30m price tag, however.

James McCarthy – Everton

Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones disclosed via his Twitter account that Fulham allegedly have Everton’s central midfielder James McCarthy locked in their sights ahead of the January transfer period.

The Irishman has fallen out of favour at Goodison Park and is languishing on the fringes of the first-team compliment. It’s also thought that Newcastle United are interested in the neglected 28-year-old, although the extent of McCarthy’s proposed exit is not yet known.

Jarrod Bowen – Hull City

According to The Sun, Premier League stragglers Fulham and Cardiff City are supposedly chasing Hull City’s vibrant £5m-rated winger Jarrod Bowen, who is one of the Tigers most coveted catalysts.

Bowen, 22, was named the supporters’ and players’ player of the season last term and has bulged the net 8 times in 24 appearances for the Championship outfit during the current season to date. An intricate, deadly flanker, Bowen would flourish at the Cottage if he was to pack his bags in the transfer window.

Emiliano Sala – FC Nantes

In a bid to integrate more firepower into their respective strike forces, Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham United – as per The Mirror – are believed to be grappling for FC Nantes hit-man Emiliano Sala’s signature.

With 13 goals to his name in all competitions for the Les jaunes et verts this term, Sala, 28, is one of the French top-flight’s most prolific marksmen. Ranieri knows first-hand what the Argentine is capable of due to his spell at the helm of Les Canaris, although if he’s to sway the Ligue 1 side to sell, it’ll allegedly cost the Whites a minimum of £15m.