Fulham Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Montiel, Broja, Dier
We suppose this article is basically Tinder for Fulham fans. Don’t swipe right, scroll down and see who takes your fancy, Cam’s the guru you never knew you needed until now.
So, anyway, we’ve £46m extra to play with now, blood money though it may be, and with a fortnight to go until the transfer window slams shut, we have to shake some tail feathers and get a wiggle on. A sudden influx of activity is forecast, it always is at the business end of silly season for Fulham so turn those frowns upside down, people, we’re in for a white-knuckled ride, fuelled by Tony Khan’s magic.
Gonzalo Montiel – Sevilla CF
World Cup winner Gonzalo Montiel could be poised for a summer switch to SW6 as sources close to TEAMtalk have informed the publication that Fulham are considering the Sevilla right-back as a rotational option for Kenny Tete. Montiel dispatched the crucial spot kick as Argentina downed France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup Final and he also made an appearance from the bench in the Super Cup Final against Manchester City.
The Whites, however, will seemingly have to fend off Nottingham Forest (surprise, surprise), as TyC Sports journalist Cesar Luis Merlo believes the Tricky Trees are marginally ahead in the race for the 26 year old, as they can offer him greater first-team opportunities. A fee of £12m is thought to be enough to prise Montiel from the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium and, if anything, it would be a real collector’s item to have a World Cup champion in the mix. As cover and and competition for Tete, Gonzalo’s absolutely ideal and I reckon we could knock the Andalusians down, but we’d have to act fast and bargain well.
Juan Ignacio Nardoni – Racing Club
Subject to a Tuttomercatoweb article, Racing Club’s rising midfield star Juan Ignacio Nardoni is apparently on Fulham transfer radar, although a series of unnamed sides from across Europe are also monitoring the 21-year-old’s availability.
Nardoni departed CA Unión for Racing Club earlier this year and he has been in glittering form for the Argentine outfit. In 35 outings, Nardoni has seven goal contributions to his credit and as he’s a physical presence, he’s capable of deputising a deeper role in the middle of the park, as well as an advanced berth. La Academia value their asset at €25m, which is fair game considering his contract runs dry in 2025.
Recently, respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio disclosed that Fulham have made contact with Bologna regarding Riccardo Orsolini and Corriere Di Bologna also suggest that the Whites should ‘soon present’ an initial bid for the 26-year-old winger.
A figure of €10m has been mentioned and the newspaper states that Orsolini’s agent, Michelangelo Minieri, met bologna club officials to discuss his client’s future. The Rossoblù are apparently willing to offload the Italy international and Nicolás Domínguez to raise transfer funds. Orsolini netted 11 goals and provided four assists last season, and if there’s any movement on the asking price, I don’t see why we wouldn’t take a punt on him.
Armando Broja – Chelsea
Fulham may be involved in talks with Chelsea for Callum Hudson-Odoi but another Blues youngster in Armando Broja could also be set to jump across SW6 as transfer informant Dean Jones – speaking to The Done Deal Show – revealed that the Whites are exploring the possibility of acquiring the 21-year-old Albania international striker.
Broja is currently recovering from a lengthy ACL rupture but despite the attacker’s unfortunate setback, Jones said: “West Ham have had an eye on Broja for a while and Fulham are having tentative steps around looking at the Broja perspective
If we’re wanting to replicate a system similar to how it was with Mitrovic up top, Broja would slot in rather well. Strong, imposing, he’s more or less a younger version of Mitro but I’d argue that he maybe isn’t completely ready to spearhead a Premier League team as a first choice, not after the horrible injury he sustained anyway. He’s got years ahead of him, we should take him into consideration but we shouldn’t hedge our bets on him.
Arthur Theate – Stade Rennais
It’s renowned French publication L’Equipe’s understanding that Fulham are Liverpool will supposedly lock horns for Rennes centre-half Arthur Theate. The Ligue 1 side qualified for the Champions League last season with a top four finish and are reluctant to part ways with the 23 year old, who was eyed by West Ham United last summer.
During his debut season at Roazhon Park following his £19m move from Bologna, Theate featured heavily in all competitions, that’s 42 outings overall, and he is currently a trusted mainstay in Will Still’s set-up. The Belgium international defender shows genuine promise, he’s already demanded high asking prices in recent moves and he is repaying Les Rennais with his steady, reliable and consistent performances. Stick him on your shortlist, Tony.
Eric Dier – Tottenham Hotspur
If Fulham are to sell Tosin Adarabioyo in the next two weeks, RMC journalist Fabrice Hawkins is under the impression that Marco Silva would prefer to deal with Tottenham Hotspur, so the Whites could purchase Eric Dier in return. It’s thought Tosin already has a personal agreement with French side AS Monaco but a proposed move to the Stade Louis II seemingly isn’t conducive to our transfer plans as if he departs, we’d want an instant replacement.
Dier is supposedly surplus to requirement at Spurs, doubt has been cast over his future in north London due to recent omissions from matchday squads and if we’re able to trade Tosin for the England international, I wouldn’t be set against it. We may not accommodate a back three or five but the 29-year-old’s documented adaptability could be beneficial and though he’s one for a clanger, I’d back him to reach his best form if he was granted regular minutes with a fresh set of targets. For me, he’d bolster our ranks without question and truthfully, if push came to shove, I’d prefer Tottenham’s unwanted man over our wantaway fourth choice every single time.
Moise Kean –Juventus’
Once of Everton, Juventus striker Moise Kean isn’t favoured in Turin and various reports from Italy – cited by Football-Italia – claim that Fulham are keen on a swoop for the Italy international – pardon the shameless pun – in the aftermath of Mitrovic’s multi-million pound move to Saudi Arabia.
Sevilla and Inter Milan have also been pinpointed as potential suitors but nothing concrete has surfaced. A suspected bruised tibia kept the attacker out of Juve’s squad which travelled to Udinese on Sunday evening, Bianconeri spokespeople are adamant his absence has nothing to do with off-field matters other than injury and I’m glad for that. There are much better options out there than Kean so I hope we swerve this one, if there is indeed smoke to go with the fire.
