It appears that you were quite correct, sir. Lazio can't/won't come up with the release clause (I take it this means the fee). Game back on.
Wiki says his scoring record is decent, and Hiddink seems to rate him. He's had few clubs though (all in Turkey), never staying at one for more than 2 years.
Similarly to Bidley, these three seem something of unknowns to me. Sivok is a full international for Czech Republic and has around 30 caps so seems a decent option. Are we looking for a centre back to partner Hangeland or as back up for Hughes/Senderos?
Mladen Petric We have apparently taken him on a free transfer from Hamburg - medical tomorrow http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/bilic-ga-nije-smekao--ali-jol-ga-obozava--mladen-petric-godinu-dana-u-fulhamu-/1037721/ If you remember he was the guy who scored with that cracing free kick against us in the semi final.
I remember that goal well. I've seen this guy play a few times and he's not half bad. Again the wrong side of 30 but since we can get him for free I won't complain.
Highly rated as a youth and touted by top Turkish clubs, it all got to his head early on and after spells at Besiktas and Fenerbahce he finally knuckled down at Trabzonspor under Senol Gunes (manager who took Turkey to 3rd in the World Cup 2002) and while working with Guus Hiddink in the national team. I've watched him last few seasons, he's really developed well and has the physical attributes to at least on paper cope with the Premier League. 19 goals season before last, 35 last season, he's a tall, strong lad, accelerates well and is fast not bad finisher either, release clause is £4m. Sivok I've also watched last few seasons, decent defender, good aerial ability, poses a threat from corners and set pieces aswell. Had a good few games with the Czechs in the Euro's.
My worry is is this guy going to be any good in the Premiership where the football is considerably different? It's alright scoring hatfuls of goals in Turkey or France or Greece or Croatia but the Premiership is completely different. Look at Ruiz. Loads of goals in the Dutch League but 2 in the Premiership. If he'd done it in Spain I'd be more excited but as it is I find very little in his bio to get the pulse racing and the appetite whetted. He also doesn't hang about anywhere long and has a worry dip in his career a couple of years ago. Of course, he might turn out to be the next Drogba and he is worth a punt but I just wish we were linked to players with experience in bigger better leagues.
Mladen Petric is always one player I've had on my wish list for a few years. I had him down to take Andrew Johnson's place a few seasons ago. Hope rumour is true, just a shame we didn't get him when he was 27. Watched lots of German football and he stood out, Olic would have been good partner. But I think Bayern have just sold Olic. May be someone like Rodallega would work well with him.
I thought it had been a while since I saw a story linking Fulham with Scot Sinclair: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896...for-sinclair-and-narsingh?source=breakingnews
They say we need more pace and penetration down the left flank - does that suggest Kacaniklic and Frei aren't in Jol's plans, or - more likely I suspect - that someone at goal.com is having a slow news day and needs to generate copy. I'd be quite happy with Sinclair, as I would have been at any of the times we've been linked with him in the past, but that doesn't mean I believe the rumours.
I think you're right, Captain. There's a big puff-piece on the website about Kaca today, so I'm guessing he's staying put. It would be a bit odd to publish a feature on him and then release him two days later!
There is always that risk. Just cos he went on the rampage in Turkey doesn't mean he'll do the same in the Premiership, probably quite unlikely. Positive things I'd say is, often the worry with foreign players is that the Premiership is too physical for them, the good thing here is the Turkish league is quite physical, they get stuck in, tackle hard and ref's are quite lenient in this regard. Physically he won't be too out of place in England, he's 1.88, strong, fast, likes to make runs behind the last man although on a bad day he does stray into offside positions a lot but on a good day he'll make that run behind the last man, between the lines and between CB's with a good delivery he can get into a few one-on-one situations per game. On his day he's a handful. This is just in Fulham & Tottenham lead race to sign Burak Yilmaz after Lazio deal falls through http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=3110
So, are Yilmaz and Petric compatible, or is it an either-or situation? They sound very similar options to me, suggesting that we might not go for both of them. There's certainly room in the squad to sign a couple of strikers, but I think both of these would expect to play, and I'm not sure that there's room in the starting eleven for both of them. Either one would look like a good signing, though. All of the above is based on what I've read, rather that what I've seen of the players, so better-informed posters should feel free (as ever) to put me right.
