January Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Part 3
Written by Cameron Ramsey on 30th January 2020
The end is nigh! January’s a terribly arduous month laden with newfangled vegan atrocities and alcohol abstinence, but the mid-term transfer window offers us a shot of interim escapism that we all madly lust for. Come 11pm, Friday 31st, though, we’ll know exactly who’s destined to front our bid for promotion in the coming weeks and months and like it or not, we’ll just have to stomach whatever’s served up for us.
There’ll be arrivals, there’ll be departures and there’ll be remainers (not in the political sense, but I couldn’t resist) and we’ve already waved goodbye to various youth prospects in Timmy Abraham, Jaydn Josiah Mundle-Smith and Jayden Harris, who have all flown the nest at Motspur Park on short-term deals to further their respective educations.
Jordan Archer’s a White, Terence Kongolo’s sampling life in SW6 and Ivan Cavaleiro, joined by Bobby Decordova Reid, are staying put for good, so who’s next in line to join them on the banks of the Thames? Indefinite links will stack up alongside the solid, although here’s an enticing cluster of could be/would be/should be targets that may just flash up on your TV screens as Deadline Day runs its fascinating course. Stick that kettle on!
Kieran Bowie – Raith Rovers
Now, Dundee-based publication The Courier have disclosed that Fulham have successfully landed Kieron Bowie from Raith Rovers for £150k, although there’s been no official update from the Whites regarding this supposed purchase, so we’ll treat it as nothing more than a burgeoning rumour for now.
Bowie, 17, has bagged 10 goals (wham, bam, thank you ma’am) for the Scottish League One table toppers this season and whilst the report suggests the youngster now belongs to the Fulham, he’ll ultimately remain at Stark’s Park for the remainder of the campaign to continue his development.
Embed from Getty ImagesIsaac Mbenza – Huddersfield Town
Our mates at Get French Football News are back and they believe that Fulham and AFC Bournemouth – subject to a report published by fellow French outlet L’Équipe – are hot on the heels of Huddersfield Town’s Isaac Mbenza.
The 23-year-old French-born striker has represented Belgium at youth level and he certainly knows his way to goal, although having only featured 7 times for the Terriers to date this term in all competitions, a late January switch could befall the discarded attacker. By all accounts, Mbenza’s doesn’t have the best of attitudes and work ethics, so perhaps we’ll skip this one, just to be safe.
Connor Goldson – Rangers
Another defender could be on the verge of a mid-season switch to SW6, according to Football Insider. Rangers’ Connor Goldson is the man in the spotlight and it’s thought that Parker’s keen to lure him back over the border, to bolster his options at the back.
The 27-year-old joined Steven Gerrard’s camp in June 2018 from Brighton & Hove Albion and, whilst he’s a centre-half by trade, he’s also deputised at right-back, and we all know how much Fulham love utility in a defender. Goldson is a trusted figure at Ibrox, though, so the likelihood of him leaving the SPL title challengers is particularly slim.
Embed from Getty ImagesJota – Aston Villa
As per a report commissioned by Daily Mail, Premier League relegation candidates Aston Villa are supposedly prepared to allow their Spanish winger, Jota, to leave Villa Park on a temporary basis before the January transfer window’s up, and Fulham are said to be the front runners for his services.
With only 12 appearances for Dean Smith’s squad under his belt since jumping across town from Birmingham City in the summer, Jota could very well be on his way back down to the Capital, as Parker’s allegedly an admirer of the former Brentford trickster’s flamboyant ability.
Alfie Doughty – Charlton Athletic
Reliable Source Richard Cawley penned a piece for South London Press concerning the future of Charlton Athletic’s searing flanker Alfie Doughty, and it’s been declared that Fulham are tailing the 20-year-old, who began the 2019-20 campaign on loan at National League side Bromley.
The Addicks have been blighted by injuries and Doughty has taken the chance to shine under Lee Bowyer with both hands, hence the Whites’ proposed interest. Doughty was electrifying as the two clubs played out a tedious 0-0 draw at The Valley recently, although Charlton, in light of this, have apparently made it categorically clear that the prospering youngster is not for sale.
