Marco Silva’s reshaping of Fulham’s squad will continue next week as Swansea skipper Matt Grimes heads to London for a medical ahead of a proposed move to Craven Cottage.
The decision of Swansea’s board to cash in Grimes as the influential midfielder entered the final year of his contract at the Liberty Stadium is thought to be one of the reasons for manager Steve Cooper’s departure last week. The Daily Mail tonight reports that the Welsh side have agreed a fee – believed to be in the region of £4m – with Fulham for the classy midfielder.
Grimes has attracted interest from the likes of Newcastle United, Southampton and Bournemouth after becoming one of the Championship’s most consistent performers. It appears as though Fulham have won the race for his signature with a medical scheduled for next week. The former England under-21 international midfielder, who came through the Exeter City academy, has scored eight goals in 157 appearances during his six years in south Wales.
This is the one that excites me the most because, apart from being a terrific player, this guy is a leader and that is something we have badly needed for a long time. With all due respect to Tom Cairney, we have lacked a real captain on the pitch; someone who takes control, gives orders, spurs players on-and this guy is just that.
Added to that, he has one of the sweetest left feet and sprays passes in a manner reminiscent of the “maestro”, Johnny Haynes.
This is turning out to be a great window-probably one of the best ever-with signings being made early rather than late-which seems to suggest that T Khan has recognised his part in last season’s demise.
The only thing I question is, if, as is suggested, the fee for Wilson does not kick in until 2022 in order to get around the Fair Play rules, couldn’t this ploy have been used last January when we were desperately in need of a striker to keep us up?
It’s ancient history now, I know, and we have to focus on the future and, if we can get that striker in, the future looks golden.
On your last point, the EFL’s FFP regulations are substantively different to the Premier League’s so this kind of workaround probably wouldn’t have been successful.
Signing matt grimes is just the signing we need,very committed player looks like we are building a squad not just to win the championship but to do well in the premiership
A terrific signing and a leader. He will obviously be playing so where does that leave the rest of our midfield. Harrison Reed, Cairney and Anguissa.
Anguissa definitely gone John. Feels like if we can get 10 games out of Cairney a season we’ve done well and still space for Reed
Watched him for years at the swans……not a skipper, goes missing some games, doesn’t put his foot in, bit lightweight, doesn’t control games unless the team is well on top……not sure what Charles has been watching but it isn’t Matt Grimes! ??