Fulham are prepared to resist the latest Saudi Arabian interest in Aleksandar Mitrovic – and are confident that Marco Silva’s reintegration of the Serbian striker into the first team squad has been so successful that he is prepared to stay at Craven Cottage.
The 28 year-old was the subject of two failed bids from Al Hilal earlier in the summer and, initially trained on his own during Fulham’s pre-season tour of America, after the Saudi Pro League side failed to match the Whites’ £52m asking price. Al Hilal, rumoured to be close to signing Brazilian forward Neymar, are said to be keen on returning with an improved offer for Mitrovic in the coming days – but their current proposals are understood to still fall short of Fulham’s valuation.
Fulham believe they remain in a strong negotiating position over Mitrovic’s future. The striker, who came off the bench on Saturday to play a pivotal part in the opening day win over Everton, retains a strong relationship with Marco Silva – who rejected repeated approaches from Al Hilal and other Saudi Arabian sides to stay in SW6 this summer – and is under contract at the Cottage until 2026.we
The Londoners are concentrating on adding to Silva’s squad in the final fortnight of the transfer window and are not countenancing losing any of their key players. They continue to negotiate with Chelsea over a permanent deal for winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and are also targeting midfield reinforcements alongside bringing in back up for first choice full backs Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson.
Mitrovic, who fought off the pain of a knock on his troublesome ankle to start the move that led to Bobby Decordova-Reid’s winner at Goodison Park, is expected to be available for selection against Brentford on Saturday. It remains to be seen whether Silva will hand Fulham’s talisman a first start of the season in the local derby or stick with summer signing Raúl Jiménez up front.
Let him go it never works with someone who doesn’t want to be there. Same with Willian.
Personally i would tell Mitro now he is playing from the start on Saturday thereby showing faith in him . Then we can see how he reacts. we hold all the cards ashe is on a long contract so as Saudi Arabia have not met our price we could now say the dee is £65 million take or leave it by Friday.That would give a little time and a chance of signing a replacement The way transfer fees have escalated this window, i do not think this approach would be unreasonable. Then perhaps we could tell Mitro we will listen to offers of 50 million plus at the end of season provided that is completed by end of July. He is under contract so we should hold all the cards
He is staying absolute bulshit and so is William coyw
To be honest, I think Mitros behaviour has been appalling, but it always has been.
The sending off that essentially lost us the Utd game was typical of a man child.
If we get 50m, let him go. That’s his 100k plus wages off the books, but please reinvest the money! Sick of Tony Khan’s moneyball strategy, buying players who were good cheaper and hoping they regain their form…I.e. all 3 Summer signings. Please don’t sign Hudson Odoi!
Missed out on James Ward Prowse, the Benfica CB etc. etc
Just rumours maybe? One thing is certain, if Mitro doesn’t want to stay, its useless keeping him. He would be just a bad influence on the team and that would lead to a drop in morale. Having said that, last Saturday he looked as motivated to kick everyone’s face in as ever. I hope he shows the same hunger against Brentford
I would inform Mitro that he will start on Saturday showing faith in him. If Saudi Arabia come in with the full asking fee of a minimum, of £52 million in the next couple of days it may put everyone in a difficult situation. They have been messing around for weeks now so they need to agree a fee of now 60 million in the next couple of days then jry must be told he is unavailable for transfer. We are aware that Mitro can be very unpredictable so we need to tread carefully how we handle him. One way or the other it must be finally resolved before the Brentford match on Saturday
I don’t see how he has apparently agreed on personal terms when the Arabs have not been given permission to negotiate with him. Something smells here …
Either way, we as a club are bigger than a single player.
COYW
There’s no way this is resolved before deadline day. Dream on, all of you.
Dan
There’s a typo … “”weeks”
The Londoners are concentrating on adding to Silva’s weeks in the final fortnight
?
I would say 80% of the trash that is written in.the media is complete bulls***!! And if you watch Silva’s media interviews looking at his body language and his comments this actually confirms this.
If we can keep the Squad we have now and bring in Possibly Fred ,Hudson Odoi,and a full back I think that might just be enough…with lady luck on our side and praying with keep everyone fit from any serious injuries I think we can hold our own to a mid table position and hopefully a good Cup run !
Thanks Hatch – perils of typing whilst in a moving vehicle. I’ve corrected this now