Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Part 2

The transfer mill has been markedly unproductive since our last instalment, but that’s not to say that there isn’t a medley of tangible rumours to savour in our second edition of 2019’s summer period.

Now, some of these fellas, predominantly the opening three, strayed into our crosshair weeks ago, but as I haven’t jotted down the fleshy details behind them, they’re just as relevant as the obscure links that have arisen in the last few days and hours, so bear with us for a quick sec.

Where is Scott Parker, or more appropriately Tony Khan, planning on strengthening the squad? It’s bloody obvious, however it’s a question we’ve asked ourselves profusely for a while because bugger all’s happened, but surely something’s close to completion. In typical Fulham fashion, we’ll begin the window sluggishly but then, inexplicably, our recruitment team will spring into action with a relentless foray into the unsuspecting market.

Scary, I know, but with pre-season meetings against FC Porto and other renowned dynasties of the modern game in the offing, we surely want to get a few thrilling additions bedded in, right? Who’s going to replace Mattias Kait for crying out loud!? Forget it, I’m done with babbling like a deranged moron because he’s simply irreplaceable, so I’ll grab the gaffer tape and muzzle myself before we all zone out of focus.

Ivan Cavaleiro – Wolverhampton Wanderers

This sounds very familiar, but a report published by The Birmingham Mail suggests that Wolverhampton Wanderers will consider bids for Ivan Cavalerio during the summer transfer window. Wolves allegedly value the 25-year-old winger at around £12m, and as Fulham and Newcastle United were supposedly tailing his signature in the summer of 2018, it’s thought that the Whites could make their interest known once again a year later.

Cavaleiro joined his current employers in 2016 from Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco for a shallow £7m, so the excelling Premier League side are seemingly seeking to make a profit on the Portuguese attacker. A trusted component of Nuno Espirito Santo’s Championship title-clinching set-up of the 2017-18 campaign, Cavaleiro’s starting status at Molineux has since sacrificed, and as he understands exactly what it takes to gain promotion from England’s second-tier, the Whites would be wise to acquire his disregarded services.

Neil Etheridge – Cardiff City

Nurtured at Mostpur Park before departing Fulham in 2014, Neil Etheridge guarded the sticks valiantly for Cardiff City during the previous Premier League campaign, and according to Wales Online, the Bluebirds allegedly rebuffed a bid in the £10m region from the Whites. The Cottagers aren’t the only potential suitor that’s been snubbed by Cardiff, however, as it’s believed that Premier League returners Aston Villa also had an £8m offer rejected.

Etheridge featured in all of Cardiff’s 38 top-flight games last term and was one of the club’s top performers, despite their relegation to the Championship alongside Scott Parker’s inherited fold. Becoming the Premier League’s first ever representative from the Philippines, Etheridge incidentally never made a first-team appearance for the Whites but a shot at redemption in SW6 could be very persuasive, but at this level, in the Championship, is he a better option than Marcus Bettinelli? That remains to be concluded.

Matt Targett – Southampton

The vast majority of Fulham’s faithful would sell their left nipple to see this happen, but Sky Sports‘ Lyall Thomas understands that Fulham have reignited their pursuit of Southampton’s Matt Targett. The 23-year-old left-back was a predominant figure behind Slavisa Jokanovic’s coveted Play-Off-winning squad of 2017-18 and now, after a long-hauled chase, the Whites are keen to snag his expertise once again before the start of the imminent campaign.

Last summer, it’s thought that Fulham had a £5m bid turned down by the Saints and Targett, who’s set to jostle with Ryan Bertrand once more in the coming season if he remains at St. Mary’s, went on to make 21 domestic outings for the south coast club. One stumbling block, though, is the evident realisation that we already have a versed Championship fullback in Joe Bryan on our books, and whilst Targett would heighten competition for a matchday spot, the prospect of both being at our disposal is fairly unfeasible.

Todd Kane – Chelsea

As per a report published by Football Insider, a quad of respectable English clubs – consisting of Sheffield United, Derby County, Aston Villa and indeed Fulham – are all said to be admirers of Chelsea’s Todd Kane, who spent last season on loan at Hull City. The 25-year-old’s standing contract with the Blues is set to expire this month, and as he’ll ultimately be available for free, he certainly isn’t short of willing suitors.

Kane’s temporary spell on Humberside was notably successful, having made 41 competitive appearances for the Tigers. Fulham’s Achilles heel was undoubtedly the right flank and Kane, being a right-back by trade, will undoubtedly bolster the Whites’ defensive ranks. Recruiting proven Championship professionals will be vital for Fulham if they’re to mount a push for promotion once more, so perhaps Kane, amongst other noteworthy names that have been mentioned, would be an extremely shrewd signing indeed.

Jovane Cabral – Sporting CP

One name that’s been on the tip of everyone’s tongue in recent days has been Jovane Cabral of Liga NOS side Sporting CP, and if various reports – including Record’s – is to be believed, then Fulham could have a particularly electrifying attacker on their hands, if their proposed intrigue comes to fruition. The Portuguese outlet is under the impression that the Whites are keen to lure the vibrant 21-year-old to SW6 on loan, with the possibility of making him a permanent fixture of the fold for £10m.

Cabral, 21, exploded onto the senior scene last season for Leões and his searing escapades have seemingly caught Fulham’s eye. The Cottagers will aim to seek a replacement for Ryan Babel, and as the flourishing Cape Verdean registered 4 goals and 8 assists in 31 outings last season, they could have located a worthy replacement. Like Babel, Cabral thrives on committing opposing players and his surging approach to his offensive responsibilities would compliment the Whites’ philosophy on the break.

Adam Forshaw – Leeds United

A player of true Championship prestige, the Daily Mail believes that Fulham are hot on the heels of Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw. Fine-tuned to the pressured of the second-tier, having previously plied his trade for Brentford, Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough as well as Leeds, Forshaw only made 19 domestic starts for Marcelo Bielsa’s set-up last season, so a fresh start could be exactly what the 27-year-old requires.

It’s subsequently thought that Leeds will demand £4.5m for the central midfielder, but as he’s struggled to make a lasting impact at Elland Road since arriving in January 2018, the likelihood of the Championship’s resident bottlers achieving that asking price is relatively slim to say the least. Nevertheless, with a new lease of life, Forshaw’s studied nature on the ball, mixed with his experience, could be beneficial to Scott Parker’s midfield contingent

Stephy Mavididi – Juventus

A promising Brit abroad, Juventus’ Stephy Mavididi, subject to a report published by 90min, is said to be on various transfer radars in England, with Newcastle United, Southampton, Burnley, Aston Villa, Derby County and Fulham, of course, all contesting to sign him on loan from the Italian superpower. Raising eyebrows in I Bianconeri’s U23 collective, the 21-year-old made his senior Serie A bow in a freak 2-1 defeat to SPAL in April, but since then, with the emergence of Moise Kean, he only made the bench a further three times.

Mavididi, a product of Arsenal’s youth system and held in a similar regard to current Gunners starlet Eddie Nketiah whilst in North London, spent stints on loan at Preston North End and Charlton Athletic before jetting off to Italy in 2018, so he’s familiar to the expectations that the Championship and first-team football exhibits. What’s more, training alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala amongst others wouldn’t have done his underlying development any harm, and as a possible understudy to Aleksandar Mitrovic, the aspiring Young Lion could inject the Whites firepower with an enthused, hungry principle.