Marco Silva insisted he didn’t have any updates on Aleksandar Mitrovic’s future during his press conference this afternoon – but confirmed that the Serbian striker will miss Fulham’s local derby with Brentford tomorrow after injuring his ankle in the opening day win at Everton.
Feverish speculation from Saudi Arabia suggested that the Fulham number nine would become Al-Hilal’s latest big signing from Europe after the Saudi Pro League side revived their interest in the centre forward last week. But Al-Hilal have still failed to meet Fulham’s £52m valuation of Mitrovic – having put forward a new proposal believed to be worth up £46m last week – and Silva was coy about the matter when he faced the press at Motspur Park earlier.
The Fulham head coach said:
“I don’t have information [on any new bids submitted for Mitrovic by Al-Hilal]. He’s out of the game because he had a problem with his ankle last game.”
Silva confirmed that Mitrovic had been doing individual work to regain his fitness after aggravating his ongoing ankle problem shortly after coming on as a substitute at Goodison Park. The Serbian striker started the move that led to Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s winner, but was later seen wearing a protective boot as he left the ground and was using crutches at Euston station following the train journey back from Liverpool.
Silva supplied more positive news regarding Portuguese international Joao Palhinha. The defensive midfielder, who topped the Premier League with 147 tackles in his first season in England, missed the opening game of the season having injured his shoulder during Fulham’s pre-season tour of America but resumed full training on Monday.
“Joao Palhinha is going to be involved, he will be in the squad.”
The Fulham boss believes his side can take confidence from the win at Everton, but feels his side will need to be much improved to regain local bragging rights against Brentford.
“To get a win and a clean sheet was a great feeling but we know we have to perform better. Derbies are always special and it will be a special game for our fans. We want to be on the front foot and use the home factor.”
I think it’s time to sell Mitro he no longer wants to be here, I just hope we can bring in Balogan to replace him and hurry up and get it done ffs.
It’s not really that difficult. We signed Mitro for, I think £20million and he’s more than repaid that with an impressive goal tally. I don’t think he owes the club anything and £43million looks like a really good return. It’s not often Fulham have profited from a player transaction like this. I personally don’t want him associated with Fulham after his appalling behaviour. He might well have cost us an FA Cup, definitely a final. A serious and unforgivable blot on an exemplary period. I’m forgetting the excessive diving. He’d be mad not to want to take what’s on offer from the Saudis, please stop faffing around, let him go and move on.
I think it is a stretch to suggest that Mitrovic cost us an FA Cup final – especially as we were only 1-0 up in the quarter final at Old Trafford at the time of his sending off. His behaviour was rightly punished.
I’d actually disagree massively with the idea that Fulham should sell now and for £43m. They would lose creditability if they sold their best goalscorer for lower than the asking price they placed on him at the height of the Saudi Arabian interest. It would also be a gamble because it would be very difficult to recruit a like-for-like replacement in the time that remains of the summer transfer window. Arsenal are reportedly asking for £50m for Balogun and he’s barely kicked a ball in the Premier League.
The recruitment of strikers under this ownership has been very questionable. Big money on Kamara, Fonte and Mitroglou for very little reward. Mitrovic might well want the move to Saudi Arabia – and he could still go – but the club should only sell when it is in their best interest. I don’t imagine Silva would be too chuffed to lose him in the middle of an underwhelming transfer window either.