Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Deadline Day
Written by Cameron Ramsey on 31st August 2021
Look, everything is subject to change in the space of five minutes on Transfer Deadline Day, we know that, but since our previous Transfer Rumour Round-Up, a ridiculous amount has arisen. Players will arrive, household names at Craven Cottage will ultimately depart, so as the next few hours whittle down to mere seconds, here’s who Fulham have been associated with, right up until this article was finally published at 4:30pm, August 31st, 2021.
Nathaniel Chalobah – Watford
Embed from Getty ImagesIn early August, The Athletic disclosed that Marco Silva’s supposedly targeting Watford’s Will Hughes and it soon became apparent that our gaffer, formerly of the Hornets himself, is also allegedly eyeing another central midfielder from the Hertfordshire-based club in Nathaniel Chalobah.
Chalobah, 26, has one more year left on his contract at Watford and the Whites are said to be in the market for a strong, functional midfielder and the former Chelsea graduate would compliment the Whites engine room perfectly. Crystal Palace are also thought to be monitoring Chalobah’s availability.
Bruno Paz – Sporting CP
Embed from Getty ImagesAs per a report published by Portuguese outlet Record, Sporting CP’s Bruno Paz, a central defensive midfielder, is a potential option for Fulham, as they seek to add depth to their midfield ranks. The Liga NOS champions are apparently willing to allow Paz to depart for free, although they will seek to implement a €2.5m buy-back clause if a deal is struck.
Paz developed within Leões youth set-up but hasn’t been able to force his way into the first-team proper. The 23-year-old holding midfielder is adaptable, though, as he’s been trusted to compete as a right-back, as well as in a central defensive capacity.
Michael Obafemi – Southampton
Embed from Getty ImagesA report pitched by Football League World suggests that Fulham are in pole position to snag Southampton’s 21-year-old striker Michael Obafemi on a permanent deal. Rated at just £2.7m, Obafemi has the potential to reach the top of the English game if he’s given the opportunity to do so, however a solid move appears to be dead in the water.
With Rodrigo Muniz joining the Whites from Brazilian club Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Fulham appear to have sufficient cover up top, especially as Jay Stansfield’s impact has also been felt. Blackburn Rovers are rumoured to be another intrigued party in the hunt for his aspiring services.
Phil Jones – Manchester United
Embed from Getty ImagesDaubed a ‘career lifeline’, The Mirror’s under the impression that Manchester United’s Phil Jones is wanted by Fulham. Jones is currently recovering from a lengthy stint on the physio’s bench with a knee injury and the 29-year-old could be allowed to depart on a temporary basis, in order to gain valuable minutes on a weekly basis.
While this revelation’s seemingly fictitious, a proposed loan isn’t necessarily preposterous, as the former England international will struggle to re-establish himself at the Red Devils this season, with the arrival of Raphael Varane in particular. Jones’ contract at Old Trafford runs until 2023.
William Carvalho – Real Betis
Embed from Getty ImagesOkay, sure, it’s now certain – as per Mundo Deportivo – that Real Betis’ midfield enforcer, William Carvalho, is completely against a loan-to-buy switch to Fulham, but it’s still rather compelling to be bracketed with a player of his stature in the modern game, and that’s why he’s an included target within this quick-fire supplement.
The 29-year-old has 68 caps for the Portugal national fold and has been linked to a number of European heavyweights in the past and now, incredibly, lowly little Fulham of the Championship. A European Championship winner in 2016, Carvalho also said to be on Norwich City’s wish list, and as a move away from La Liga is on the cards, anything could happen in the coming hours ahead.
Emil Krafth – Newcastle United
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s unknown just how credible @Fball_Insights_ actually is, however a ruckus has erupted among Fulham Twitter after the well-followed page announced that the Whites are pursuing Newcastle United’s Emil Krafth, after Aston Villa’s wantaway right-back Frédéric Guilbert proclaimed he’s angling for a switch back to France, rather than the Sky Bet.
Whether the Whites’ alleged interest is genuine or not, Krafth, 27, is a Sweden international fullback and would be a worthwhile acquisition, even if he hasn’t successfully bedded himself into the Magpies’ weekly matchday XI, and a loan is the most likely outcome.
Stephen Eustaquio – Pacos Ferreira
Embed from Getty ImagesVOLE’s respected reporter Yağız Sabuncuoğlu revealed via Twitter that Fulham have lodged a bid for Pacos Ferreira’s Canada international Stephen Eustaquio, who’s also supposedly a target of Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce SK.
Eustaquio, 24, has represented Portugal at U21 level and is one of Ferreira’s stand-out performers. With 3 goals in 10 caps for Canada, Eustaquio is a relatively productive component and if he is to jump to SW6, he’d reinforce the dynamism within Silva’s midfield third.
Deyovaisio Zeefuik – Hertha Berlin
Embed from Getty ImagesReports emerged in the morning of Deadline Day across Twitter – most notably @caughtoffside – concerning Hertha Berlin’s Deyovaisio Zeefuik, and Fulham’s presumed admiration of the 23-year-old Dutch right-back.
With Kenny Tete out of contention, Fulham will need to bring in a competitive alternative and Zeefuik is thought to be on the Whites’ radar. Cyrus Christie is surplus to requirement, Steven Sessegnon is nowhere to be seen, but is the former FC Groningen fullback ideal and serviceable? Opinions are split regarding his ability, as he hasn’t set the world alight in the Bundesliga.
