Agee about Nugent ... as a short term fix. We would still need a young, up and at them striker as well however. Omar Bogle got another couple of goals the other night ... just saying. Can't see Villa letting McCormack go, especially since they've just sold Gestede to 'Boro for £6m. That said they have been linked with Hogan (although Brentford's valuation of £15m has scared them off for now) and Rhodes (where there may be some wiggle room tied in to the Gestede sale).
The Scottish Sun are saying that we've got our eye on Celtic's defensive midfielder Nir Bitton. This guy is huge, in the sense that he's tall; standing at 6'5". The 25 year old has 19 caps for Israel and joined the Bhoys in August 2013. He only played in about half their games that season, mainly because of injury. However in the two seasons that followed he was not only a regular but an outstanding player for them; known also to get the odd goal with long range shots. Including one spectaclar one against Malmo in the Champions League. This season, as often happens when a new manager comes on the scene, he's not been a favourite with Brendan Rogers and hasn't played since October. Indeed Rogers is looking to buy this January and the Israeli is keen to move to ensure his international future. Bought by Celtic for around £700k they are said to be willing to let him go for £2m (other stories have suggested as much as £2.8m). Bitton of course played alongside Stefan Johansen when both were picking up MOTM awards at Celtic a season or so ago. The Sun's story suggests that Jokanovic is looking at him to cover for McDonald (and presumably Parker). And no doubt to defend corners! PS Him being right footed is a nice little bonus.
Know it's only rumours but if true we're doing our old "trick" of lining up a wodge of candidates for one position. This time we appear to be hedging our bets on a defensive midfielder. First it was Nir Bitton of Celtic now it's Ibrahima Cisse of Standard Liege. Usual poor translation: "The damn it clear to that Ibrahima Cissé (22) is about to depart from Liege. The midfielder arrived in the summer from KV Mechelen after he previously the youth ranks of the Rouches went through. Now the English team Fulham Cissé eye. Negotiations between The Cottagers and Standard are already here, reportsHet Laatste Nieuws . The club from the Ardent City hoping to catch a transfer fee which is considerably higher than the 800,000 euros that it itself paid to Malinwa" Source: https://www.voetbalkrant.com/nl/nie...brahima-cisse-standard-is-gegeerd-in-engeland Another fairly tall guy (6ft) he has dual Belgian and Guinea nationality and is under contract till the summer of 2020, so we're probably talking around the £2m mark (again) to get him. Good right foot ....
Looks like good news on the Lucas Piazon front. His current loan is up on 15th January and if his tweet has anything to go by, he will be signing an extension for the rest of the season. please log in to view this image Meanwhile, social media is also saying that Middlesbrough's David Nugent is going to Derby for £3m.
Always good to see a) a player I'd like to re-sign, re-sign and b) a player happy to engage with fans (which indicates he is generally happy as well).
The manager was asked today about what he's expecting to happen in this window, his reply was that he wants one defender and one striker. No mention of a midfielder which could possibly end the recent rumours linking us with Bitton and Cisse. Needing a striker is the most obvious one and I hope thats sorted sooner rather than later and that we aren't forced into a panic buy right at the end of the month.
Kodjia gone off to ANC and Gestede gone to Boro, so I doubt McCormack will go anywhere till replacements are found. The player I'd like us to try for is Ulloa from Leicester City if they are willing to let him go on loan or even buy him. Leicester have far too many strikers
The sheep are hijacking your move for Nugent as you won't let them have Martin back, according to Sky. NUGENT IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH DERBY David Nugent is in advanced negotiations with in-form Championship side Derby County over a permanent £2m transfer. Steve McClaren is keen to land Nugent quickly after failing to bring Chris Martin back from his loan stint at Fulham. The 31-year-old has only featured four times for Boro in the Premier League this season and is free to leave after Aitor Karanka signed Rudy Gestede from Aston Villa for £6m last week. Sky sources understand Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic was also interested in signing Nugent this month. Short term Nuge would be a great option to get you goals, would've converted some of those chances yesterday without doubt. And I'd rather he didn't sign for the sheep! P.s. No, you can't have Ulloa
If Derby sign Nugent, I would not be too surprised to see an apology from Chris Martin in the near future. Or maybe they've signed Nugent as cover for when we swap Martin for Vydra (I can hope!)?
No sooner said than up pops Thomas Heurtaux of Udinese, according to Italian media. Swansea had a look at him in the summer to replace Ashley Williams and since then the 6ft centre back has struggled to get into the Serie A side's first team, only making 6 appearances so far. The 28 year old Frenchman is under contract until summer 2019 and probably in the market for around £3m. Source: http://messaggeroveneto.gelocal.it/...el-mirino-di-gino-pozzo-1.14675142?ref=search
Grimsby have rejected and offer of £850k from Rotherham for Omar Bogle. Meanwhile McLaren has met his objective in disrupting our season as Derby sign David Nugent from 'Boro for £2.5m. And offloading 'Boro say they are prepared to loan out Stewart Downing ... not the striker the Gaffer wants and not convince we need an attacking wing back come left winger at this point but ...
No sooner said than reports are coming in that we are are odds on favourite to sign hot in demand Austria Wien’s Nigerian forward Olarenwaju Kayode this January ahead of La-Liga side Espanyol. "Kayode is also reportedly a target for teams in Turkey as well but recent reports suggest that La-Liga side Espanyol have joined in his chase, but Fulham are clear favourites to land the 23 year old. Owngoalnigeria.com gathered from sources close to the player that coach of Fulham Slavisa Jokanovic knows all about the abilities of Kayode right from his days in Israel with Maccabi Netanya. The coach who was also in Israel at that time tried to sign Kayode for his then club Maccabi Tel Aviv, before the forward moved to Austria where he has grown in leaps and bounds in the last 18 months. Reportedly close to being called up to the Nigeria senior team for the first time later in the year, the 23 year old has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, with 5 coming in the Europa League, while 9 of his goals have been scored in league and cup games in Austria." Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/1...ol-in-race-to-sign-red-hot-olarenwaju-kayode/
The Times, no less, are saying that Arsenal are happy to loan out striker Chuba Akpom and we (among others) are interested. The 21 year old has had a number of loan spells, the most recent being a season long loan to Hull last year in the Championship. He played 36 League games and scored 3. The six footer however has been out since September witha back injury and only returned to full training with the Arsenal in December. Footnote: This guy gets linked to us so often that he's fast becoming the Carlton Cole of our transfer window.
Don't forget the signing of Jokanovic. I see the mirror reporting contradictory that talks have stalled bit have taken place yet. We need to get this guy tied down and give him a budget to challenge.
The next striker to be linked with us is Bournemouth's Lewis Grabban. I seem to remember him being quite prolific for Bournemouth in the championship a few seasons ago but hasn't really hit the heights in the premier league so far. Good striker at this level and could do a job.
I saw Grabban play for Bournemouth a few times, and I never really rated him. I was surprised by the number of goals he scored in the Championship, and thought Bournemouth got a terrific deal when Norwich paid big money for him. His record suggests that he'd do all right for us at this level, but I can't say it's a deal I'd be very excited about.
An update on Ibrahima Cisse, according to Sky sources. FULHAM PREPARE NEW CISSE BID Fulham are preparing a new offer for Standard Liege midfielder Ibrahima Cisse, according to Sky sources. We understand an initial bid of £2million was rejected by the Belgian club last week. Liege value Cisse, who has caps for Belgium's U21s, at around £3m.