Incoming Fulham manager Marco Silva wants to keep Aleksandar Mitrovic at Craven Cottage, according to the Sun.

Silva’s appointment as the permanent successor to Scott Parker is due to be confirmed this afternoon after the Portuguese coach agreed a three year contract with the Championship club. The former Everton boss wants Mitrovic to spearhead his attack as Fulham plot an immediate return back to the Premier League, which aligns with the thinking of the club’s hierarchy.

Fulham rejected a £16m bid for Mitrovic, who grew disenchanted having been only afforded thirteen league starts as the Whites were relegated under Parker, from Dynamo Moscow last month. Turkish press reports have linked the Serbian striker with a loan switch to Besiktas but Fulham want the 26 year-old to reprise his fine form Championship form, which saw him score 26 times as Whites went up via the play-offs in 2020.