Here's an interesting thought which I'm sure will horrify some of you... If, as rumoured, we sell Mitroglou this summer, we'll need at least one more experienced striker in the squad. I read today that Newcastle are planning to release Shola Ameobi, who could be just what we need. He's not a prolific goalscorer, but when Newcastle spent a season back in the Championship in 2009-2010, he scored 10 goals in 18 appearances, which is a pretty good strike rate. He's very popular with the Newcastle fans, and as far as I'm aware he's seen as wholehearted and hardworking. If all that's true, he'd be a positive influence in the changing room and have something to contribute on the pitch. If we were still in the Premier League, I wouldn't be at all keen on signing him, but given our new status, we could do an awful lot worse.
Reading some German websites old news rumors from April, so have probably fallen through. Fulham are eyeing up a double swoop on the Bundesliga, with manager Felix Magath setting his sights on midfielder Alex Meier, 31, from Eintracht Frankfurt and defender Ricardo Rodriguez, 21, from Wolfsburg. Also says Holtby off to Borussia M'gladbach Inter Milan interested in Kacaniklic and Mitroglou (also Napoli & Dortmund!!) Also Billy Jones 27 (RB) of WBA Fulham in competition with West Ham for his signature.
We are reported to be interested in Notts Forest's midfielder Henri Lansbury: "The 23-year-old is on the London clubâs radar as they prepare for a future in the Championship. Lansbury established himself an integral figure for the Reds last season netting seven goals in 30 games. Forest missed him in the final stages of the campaign, when injury robbed them of one of their most influential players. Incoming Forest boss Stuart Pearce, who knows Lansbury having worked with him with the England under-21 side, will not be keen to sell. Lansbury signed a four-year deal when he joined from Arsenal in the summer of 2012, although there is some question of whether it was a normal four-year contract or a three-year deal with the option of a further year. Either way, Forest will fight to hold on to the player, who remains one of the better midfielders outside of the top flight." Source: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Fulha...tory-21093405-detail/story.html#ixzz31iA2lL2d
Gera has been released by West Brom! please log in to view this image Link tp pic http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/10/7/1254915777795/Zoltan-Gera-001.jpg Much though he was a cult hero, and shouldn’t have been given the boot by Sparky, don’t think a return ’home’ would work. Also given Baggies’ free transfers are local boys Steven Reid and Liam Ridgewell. A right and left back in a oner? We were interested in Ridgewell last summer but it's now obviously one year on and the old problems of injuries and age come into play. But at least they are seasoned campaigners. However can’t see Felix going for players he doesn’t know.
I here tell Felix was at the Europa final, looking over a couple of Sevilla players. Midfielder Piotr Trochowski's name has been mentioned (ex Bayern and Hamburg). please log in to view this image Link to Pic: http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608040354196949492&pid=15.1
A report in Het Nieuwsblad claims Fulham scouts have been in Belgium to watch Bjorn Engels, 19, on multiple occasions over the past few months. please log in to view this image The Belgian Under-19 international has been a regular for his club this term after scoring an own goal on his debut last season. He was involved on Thursday night as Club Brugge failed to maintain their title challenge, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Racing Genk at the Cristal Arena.
Reports are now linking us with Stefan Kutschke of Wolfsburg. A 25 year old 6' 5'' striker who has only played one game for Wolfsburg and scored in it but apart from that the rest of his career has been spent in the German lower leagues. Doesn't seem anything special by any means but I trust Felix knows him and thinks he's capable at Championship level. Link to article (in German): http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/rb-leipzig/kein-comeback-fuer-stefan-kutschke-bei-rb-leipzig-36003312.bild.html
I read this morning that Cameron Jerome is a top target for Fulham over the summer, Stoke seem to be ready to listen to offers but would he be willing to drop down to the Championship? Can't say that I took much notice of him this season on loan at Crystal Palace, no idea how he performed. I actually think the Championship is about his level, I remember him being much more of a goalscorer when with Cardiff and Birmingham in a lower league. If Mitroglou is to leave as expected then perhaps Jerome could be a decent replacement and be the 'experienced' head in amongst a quite youthful forward line that Fulham seem to be promoting at present.
It would be foolish to go into next season with just our (admittedly very talented) young strikers, so I wouldn't be that opposed to signing a physically strong veteran to play alongside one of them. We've lacked a striker who can hold the ball up since Zamora left and I think any of our youngsters would benefit from playing alongside such a player. I'd be more inclined to take Jerome over an unknown German, but ultimately I'm confident we can find someone suitable for the role.
Yes I think Jerome would be a decent signing. He's never been a clinical striker but he can hold up the ball and bring others into play. Would be available for cheap and probably willing to come.
Captain, Trochowksi is indeed a good player and would be able to play a Murphyesque type role in the centre of the pitch. Was most effective a season or two ago when paired with Rakitic, who, sadly, we wouldn't be buying as he would be at least £20 million and looking for European football. Sevilla sold several good players last year but managed to hold on to Trochowski and he would be a definite plus to the squad. He's slightly older at 30 and not a prolific scorer (3, I think, since he joined us in 2011). He will probably be most fondly remembered by Seviila fans for the absolute blooter of a half-volley he scored after about a minute in the game against Real Madrid in 2012 which we won, 1-0.
I reckon about £3.5 million. Maybe less. I don't know how long is left on his contract. Can't be too much longer, I guess.
He's under contract until 2015, according to the UEFA news report of his original signing for Sevilla. Can't see anything about him signing a new deal. Would seem unlikely to be keen on a move to the Championship though?
Marc Albrighton has been released by Villa. Leicester are favourite to take him on a free but would be well worth a punt. especially if we were to lose Dejagah and/or Kaca. Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ter-City-Aston-Villa-fail-renew-contract.html
Agreed. He looked really promising when he broke into the Villa first team. I've been surprised that he hasn't established himself. He'd have been a useful squad player if we had stayed up, so he'd definitely have something to offer in the Championship.
