Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Part 4

How did we wangle Anthony Knockaert from Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan with an option to buy? It’s inconceivable, but that has to be one of the greatest business episodes I’ve ever witnessed. Bravo, Tony Khan, but we’re still longing for more transfer activity before the window slams shut until the new year.

We’re constructing a razor-sharp offensive armoury down by the river, although I can’t help but feel that our defensive department is, well, a little blunt and penetrable. We can only hope, then, that TK and his motley crew of recruiters have prominent irons in the fire.

Maybe I’m spoiled, especially after the exceptionally advantageous summer we’ve enjoyed thus far, but I am merely voicing the thoughts, apprehensions and concerns of many fellow supporters that wish to see further purchases with hard-hitting, assertive qualities. Let the saga continue.

Callum O’Dowda – Bristol City

Vying to recondition the flanks, Fulham – as per a report published by Bristol Live – are said to be tracking Bristol City’s Callum O’Dowda, a Republic of Ireland international winger that’s valued at £8m by the Robins. Did anyone else get a Twitter follow from his old man?

O’Dowda, 24, has one year left on his current contract at Ashton Gate, and other than the Whites, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are also said to be monitoring the situation closely. Fulham, though, are allegedly unwilling to meet Bristol’s asking price.

Reece Oxford – West Ham United

Shelved by West Ham United, dormant wunderkind Reece Oxford’s prolonged stay at FC Augsburg appeared in jeopardy, but after agreeing to scrap an appeal for a release clause to be instated if Fuggerstädter were to be relegated from the Bundesliga, the 20-year-old could yet return for £2.7m, according to Sky Sports.

A mouthful, we know, but if the adaptable defender’s switch to Germany falls stagnant, it’s believed that Fulham and Swansea City could pounce for his signature. Incidentally, Oxford was not part of the Hammers’ 23-man squad which travelled to China to compete in the Premier League Asia Trophy earlier this month.

Muhamed Besic – Everton

Overlooked by Marco Silva, Everton midfielder Muhamed ‘Mo’ Besic is supposedly on the verge of an exit from Goodison Park this summer, with TEAMtalk divulging that Fulham are leading the chase for his services.

The Bosnia & Herzegovina international, 26, could be available for £5m, a shallow figure for an enforcer of his stature. In order to force a move to Craven Cottage, it’s reputed that he’s willing to turn down various ventures in France, Italy and Germany.

Josh Onomah – Tottenham Hotspur

Now, the next two players – Josh Onomah and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou – are both connected to one proposed deal for our very own Ryan Sessegnon, with the Daily Telegraph claiming that Scott Parker will seek to acquire the duo from Tottenham Hotspur, if Sess’ is to bid farewell to SW6 for north-London.

The report suggests that the discarded pair could be used as a makeweight in Spurs’ potential swoop for Sess’, although it’s also thought that the Whites could simply use an estimated £20m from Sess’ transfer fee to buy them outright. Onomah’s career has reached a plateau after loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa, but a permanent departure from Mauricio Pochettino’s camp could revitalise the playmaker’s motivation.

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou – Tottenham Hotspur

The second pawn in the plot, Nkoudou, is a surging winger that’ll intensify Fulham’s attack, however since joining Tottenham from Ligue 1 outfit Olympique de Marseille in the summer of 2016, the Frenchman’s regard as a trusted component has violently nosedived.

Temporary stints at Burnley and AS Monaco have stunted his growth and now the 24-year-old, alongside Onomah is ultimately surplus to requirement at the newly-erected Tottenham Hostpur Stadium. Are the aforementioned midfielders genuinely ideal replacements for our revered 19-year-old? The jury’s still out on this one.

Elbasan Rashani – Odds Ballklubb

A wide option that’s held in high esteem in Norway, Odds Balklubb’s Elbasan Rashani has been tipped for a move away from the Skagerak Arena for just £500k, and Daily Mail believes that Fulham are keeping a watchful eye on the productive 26-year-old.

To date during the 2019 Eliteserien campaign, the Kosovo international has registered 2 goals and 4 assists in 15 appearances, an impact that’s helped Odd rise to third in the standings. Rashani represented Norway as a youth prospect and is now one of Kosovo’s national sporting treasures, and for such a slight price in today’s inflated market, he could be an immensely effective squad member in the Championship.