January Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Part 3

We’re in desperate need of some fresh faces aren’t we? No matter what Claudio Ranieri has implemented since taking the reins from Slavisa Jokanovic, Fulham are still a terribly fragile collective that are flirting, dangerously, with relegation to the Championship after one solitary season back in the esteemed confines of the Premier League.

It makes very little difference, but the Whites are still within a fighting chance of survival, just. A divide has formed amongst our fan base, and whilst betting sites such as BettingTop10 have us as an odds on favourite to plummet, a select grouping are still hopeful that we’ll cling onto our top-flight status by the finest of margins. Are we still able to attract players to our sinking cause? Well, noises and murmurs of potential purchases are still prominent in the media spectrum.

We’ve no need to “dilly ding, dilly dong” any longer. Ranieri promises burgers, pizzas and whimsical tales of vague Italian folk law, presumably, and he’s already lured a 32-year-old Ryan Babel to SW6. So let’s take another impromptu trip into the rumour mill to gander at the names that could be clutching a Fulham jersey in front of a sea of cameras, rye grin n’all, very, very soon. We hope.

Michy Batshuayi – Chelsea

According to an article published by The Mirror, the Whites have allegedly gone window shopping at their local rivals, Chelsea, with the Blues’ discarded striker Michy Bastshuayi being the primary focal point of interest.

The Belgium international’s temporary spell at Valencia CF has been terminated and it’s believed that our fellow SW6 dwellers value the 23-year-old at an exceedingly shallow £14m. A loan stint appears plausible, although it’s though that several clubs will contest Ranieri for his somewhat underwhelming services.

Clinton N’Jie – Olympique de Marseille

The Cottagers, as suggested by Daily Mail, have supposedly joined Newcastle United, Burnley and Cardiff City in the hunt for Olympique de Marseille winger Clinton N’jie, a Cameroonian trail blazer that incidentally crumbled during his time at Tottenham Hotspur.

N’jie, 25, was lured to Spurs in 2015 from Ligue 1 outfit Olympique Lyonnais, but he ultimately failed to make a lasting impact at White Hart Lane. Loaned to Marseille in 2016, N’jie proceeded to pen a permanent contract at the Orange Velodrome, although he’s struggled to forge a starting spot in Rudi Garcia’s fold this term.

Moanes Dabour – Red Bull Salzburg

Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo understands that Red Bull Salzburg’s Moanes Dabour is turning heads at both ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool and Fulham both monitoring the Israeli talisman’s progression in Austria.

The 26-year-old hit-man has netted a resounding 20 goals in 30 appearances in all available competitions during the current campaign, a prowess in front of the target that will undoubtedly bolster Fulham’s survival push. But, as Dabour’s destined to exhibit his dexterity at the highest possible level, the allure of Anfield could be far too tempting to resist.

Gyasi Zardes – Columbus Crew

Subject to a report published by TEAMtalk, Fulham, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United are said to be tracking Columbus Crew’s 27-year-old striker Gyasi Zardes, formally of fellow MLS side LA Galaxy.

Standing at 6ft 2in, Zardes is an imposing figure that’s capable of performing in a range of roles across the breadth of the offensive department. With 40 caps to his name for the USMT, he’s a recognised and trusted component, and we’re severely lacking customary American exports, of course.

Andrea Ranocchia – Inter Milan

In order to shore up their porous defensive quarters, Fulham – according to FC Inter News – are said to be pursuing Inter Milan’s Andrea Ranocchia, who’s been cast out of Luciano Spaletti’s plans at the San Siro.

The 30-year-old centre-half endured a lacklustre stretch at Hull City during the second-half of the 2016-17 season, but with that reality taken into consideration, a slashed asking price could be on the cards. West Ham United are also a possible suitor, once again.

Luca Murphy – Hartlepool United

An aspiring prospect, Hartlepool United’s 17-year-old centre-back, Luca Murphy, is reportedly admired by a trio of Premier League clubs including West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham, according to Hartlepool Mail.

It’s said that the Whites are keen for the teenager to travel down to the capital to train at Motspur Park, although the ‘Monkey Hangers’ are understandably reluctant to part ways with their developing youth product, who’s been at the club since the age of 8.