Marco Silva will thrash out his Fulham future in talks with Fulham chairman Shahid Khan after he rejected overtures from Saudi Arabian side Al-Alhi to become their manager.
The Portuguese boss, who has rebuffed advances from two Premier League clubs as well as Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal since guiding Fulham to tenth place in their first season back in the top flight, wants assurances over the club’s long-term ambitions before signing a long-term contract at Craven Cottage. Al-Alhi, who are desperate to appoint a new coach with the start of the Saudi season a fortnight away, have increased their £40m two-year offer to Silva but he remains keen to prove his coaching credentials in England after his sacking by Everton.
Silva, who steered the Whites to the Championship title after succeeding Scott Parker two summers ago, will hold discussions with the Khan family following Sunday’s Premier League Summer Series fixture against Brentford in Philadelphia. He is understood to be disappointed that the club have yet to making any signings this summer so far – and had to make a direct intervention to ensure Brazilian winger Willian remained in his SW6 for another season.
The Londoners are close to completing a deal to sign the AC Milan left-back Fodé Ballo-Touré, according to Gianluca di Marzio. The Senegalese international, who was left out of Milan’s own tour of the United States in order to finalise his exit from the San Siro, has opted for a Premier League move over interest from Serie A side Bologna and French club Nice. The 26 year-old, who was part of the Senegal side that won the African Cup of Nations two years ago, is viewed as an ideal candidate to challenge Antonee Robinson, who signed a five-year contract with Fulham earlier this month after excelling last season.
The Whites could soon add a central defender to their squad after reports from Holland confirmed that they were the frontrunners in the race to acquire Ajax’s Calvin Bassey. The former Rangers defender will move on this summer having been told he will play regularly under new boss Maurice Stejin. De Telegraaf names the Cottagers as the club who have submitted the most concrete proposal to both Ajax and Bassey, who is also interesting Brighton and Hove Albion.
Promising Brazilian centre back Morota has handed in a transfer request at Benfica in an attempt to smooth his progress towards signing for Silva. The Eagles had been reluctant to sell their 22 year-old protege for less than his £85m release clause, especially with Sao Paulo set for a hefty percentage of any transfer fee. Benfica are mulling over Fulham’s third offer for the ball-playing centre half, who Silva sees as a like-for-like replacement for Tosin Adarabioyo, and Morato’s move could bring about a swifter than expectation resoljution.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has been handed a personalised fitness programme to boost his sharpness ahead of the new season with Fulham still insistent that the Serbian striker will not be leaving unless their £52m valuation is met. Saudi side Al Hilal are the only suitors, but have failed to come close to meeting Fulham’s asking price. The PIF-backed side are said to considering other targets leaving Mitrovic under contract at the Cottage until the summer of 2026.
Need to have this sorted out as soon as possible.season getting closer !!!
Obviously I’m a bit bias, but the above reports make much more sense to me than Mitro throwing his toys out the pram as well as Silva suddenly opting for a £40M job Vs the £35M he was offered earlier. Sky Sports such on this proper transfer reporting
TK Maximises Fulham’s jeopardy.AAaaarrghhh!
May SK be a light in the middle of our tunnel!
It is looking slightly more hopeful about Silva staying. Hopefully be meeting Shahid Khan dad will give his son Tony a good ticking off. It is still only rumours about signing nobody has put pen to paper yet
Has anyone heated any more news about Andre? I thought that we had agreed a fee but it seems to all be silent now.
It is unclear to me if Marco Silva had declined the latest Saudi Arabia offer or is waiting until his meeting with Shahid Khan before reaching a decision. As far as transfers in are concerned it appears we are interested in about 5 central defenders and no one else. Hudson Odoi has gone quiet with other clubs still interested. Maybe because Wiilian has resigned the club has decided we do not need him. How much Input does Marco have on who we sign or is all left to Tony Khan who has a vast knowledge of football !!!*
Having been an owner/director for ten years and running recruitment for much of that time it’s actually reasonable to assume that TK does have a vast knowledge of football albeit he probably didn’t have at the start.
How well he’s doing his job is a valid discussion to have and that’s a constant on the various forums but if you’re judged by results then the last two years suggests he hasn’t done too badly.
It must be difficult to get new players to sign with all the uncertainty at the moment. I hope Marco considers this From the outside looking in I don’t think the Khans can be blamed for the lack of signings.
Seems like we have a Catch 22 situation. Players will not sign until the manager commits and the manager won’t sign until the players he wants join.
It is not just about who has been signed. It is also about enabling the manager to get the best results. This did not happen last year…some good signings? Yes. In time for moulding a team for the first games of the season? No. Manager contentment a priority in any equation? Not in relation to, it seems,…..TK’s obsession with ‘the art of the deal’ wanting to prove himself and not wanting to be ‘done over’ by submitting.
Maybe Silva should find wrestling analogies and metaphors to push his case.
Yes I know I am banging the drum of my obsession of TK frustration but, as one of the ‘fans for over sixty years’ and another with a bit of a clue about recruitment, I remain to be convinced by TK results.
I have not read anywhere Marco Silva has declined the latest offer from Saudi Arabia only he is meeting Mr Khan Senior to discuss the situation. Mitro may have shot himself in the foot by his outburst if The Saudis do not increase their offer. Would our fans forgive him. I am still concerned with West Ham continued persult of Palhonha. Rumours about us signing Hammer from Coventry Aarons from Norwich and Hudson Odoi from Chelsea seem to have died a death .All have their merits. Taking everything into account it is not a good position for the club
Tony Khan has proved more than capable for the job in these past seasons. Being the son of the chairman should not distract anyone from what he has managed to achieve. I would just like to mention the signing of Silva himself was a masterstroke along with those of Willian, Leno, Pereira and Pahlinha. Please lets all calm down and wait patiently, I know its difficult but we have never had the budget and the allure of our neighbours, thus our signings need more labour.
E.T Fulham not signing players until the last minute is one of their traits, so nothing changes. Hope it’s not an overreaction on the ‘knee jerk’ 100 million or so wasted on dross a few seasons bank. Nothing new for Fulham fans to endure Brinkmanship is there?