2023 Summer Transfer Window

To get the summer transfer window discussion going here is where things stand contractually with the team:

Loans:
Daniel James
Layvin Kurzawa
Manor Solomon
Cédric Soares

Out of Contract in July:
Neeskens Kebano
Shane Duffy
Willian
Paulo Gazzaniga
Steven Sessegnon
Joe Bryan
Anthony Knockaert

Everyone else sorted by expiration year:
Antonee Robinson - 2024
Bobby De Cordova-Reid - 2024
Harrison Reed - 2024
Kenny Tete - 2024
Marek Rodak - 2024
Tim Ream - 2024
Tom Cairney - 2024
Tosin Adarabioyo - 2024
Tyrese Francois - 2024
Terence Kongolo - 2024
Ivan Cavaleiro - 2024
Bernd Leno - 2025
Carlos Vinícius - 2025
Kevin Mbabu - 2025
Aleksandar Mitrović - 2026
Andreas Pereira - 2026
Harry Wilson - 2026
Rodrigo Muniz - 2026
Issa Diop - 2027
João Palhinha - 2027
Sasa Lukic - 2027

We haven't had Fulham stay in the same league in years, so this summer should have less turnover than we've seen recently. I also think Fulham has a pretty solid core squad so there are no gaping holes that need to be filled. Mostly I think they need to work on building a stronger bench.

After looking at the contract status my biggest concern is on the wings. This is the one area where deals must be made for Fulham to field a viable squad. Willian, Solomon, James, and Kebano will all be out of contract in July. I'm most interested in keeping Willian and would also like to see Solomon return. I've seen too little of Kebano after his recovery to have an opinion on him.

My next biggest concern are backups, or maybe even improvements, at left and right back. Fulham is incredibly thin in those areas and reinforcements are critical.

After that, I'm thinking about when Andreas Pereira can return and what kind of player he'll be after an extended absence. I think Fulham needs to look at getting another playmaker to swap time with Cairney for a good chunk of the season since I think Pereira will be unavailable for an extended period.

Next in priority I'd look for a backup to Mitrovic and then another defensive mid-fielder for depth behind Palhinha, Reed, and Lukic.

Finally, Tosin, Diop, and Ream did fine this season, but I'd really like to see Fulham bring in an even better CB to start most matches.

The only guy currently in the regular lineup that I'd like to drop is Vinicius. He did do better later in the season, but I don't think I'd like to see another season trying to make things work with him. All the guys who were out on loan (Kongolo, Cavaleiro, Mbabu) can hopefully be sold. I'd keep DeCordova-Reid just to have a good utility player who can sub in a number of areas.

Fulham did an excellent job with last summer's transfer window. They've got a go a lot of positives to help recruit good players (prime location, good coach, upward trajectory) as long as they can make good choices and have the funds to make it happen.

 

Not unexpected, but Fulham has confirmed that Joe Bryan will be leaving the club and they gave him this nice little retrospective:
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/june/09/joe-bryan-to-leave-fulham/

I like Joe Bryan a lot. He worked his butt off and was especially key in the 2019-20 season - and that was even before his legendary goals in the playoff final against Brentford.

 

The man caught lightning in a bottle for one glorious do or die match at the Big W. What a great story for the grandkids…

 

I will miss Joe Bryan. A good and genuine person.

 

Fulham haven't mentioned this on the offal, but Shane Duffy (Norwich) and Paolo Gazzaniga (Girona) have left the club. They were out of contract at the end of the month so it's no surprise that they've left.

 

Fulham noted departures of out of contract players and listed who was offered new contracts:
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/june/15/player-departures/

The biggest news I got from this was that Kebano was offered a new contract. I wasn't sure if the club would do that. The offer for Willian was no surprise.

I don't think there were any surprises in the departing players, but I was at little bummed that things never worked out for Steven Sessegnon. He never had the success of his brother, but I thought there was potential there that never got fully developed.

Knockeart, who's contract is expiring, didn't even get a mention.

 

After having watched Miles Robinson last night and before his injury, we could do much worse and he would be a bargain.

 

Two things: 1) looks like Issa Diop is not an upstanding citizen, and 2) we'll need one more CB than we expected this coming season.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/06/diop-arrested-for-death-threats/

 

I take that back. According to new reports, he’s been released without charges and “there is no case to be answered.” I jumped to conclusions and should know better.

 

Not ideal: https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/06/willian-turns-down-fulham-deal/

 

The thought have not having Willian back is concerning, but I get not wanting to give him two guaranteed years.

 

Fulham's winger status continues to darken with Solomon heading for Spurs. So far with the Willian and Solomon developments this is turning into the worst case scenario that I feared on the wing. Still time to make some signings, but losing capable players doesn't feel good. It certainly strengthens Willian's hand in any on-going negotiations.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66084288

 

Sounds like there may be a ray of sunshine regarding Willian.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/07/willian-set-to-stay-with-fulham/

 

And maybe Jedi….

https://www.facebook.com/1000443054...cErRptHcwcYz3SxaY6Nn9KyetoFl/?mibextid=SDPelY

 

Normally I would wait for the offal, but I just want this to be true, so screw it.
All Hail Jedi!

https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-antonee-robinson-agrees-fulham-deal/

 

Yay!

https://www.fulhamfc.com//news/2023...n=menu&utm_source=iOS-app&utm_medium=referral

 

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/july/11/motspur-parklife-first-session-back/

Some interesting glimpses. Looked like Mbabu and Muniz were integrated fully into first-team training. Is there still a hope for them at Fulham? Ream still has something on his forearm; had to be a nasty break. Pereira looks like he has no lingering problems. There were quite a few younger academy players whom I couldn't recognize; I hope some impress and can help the first team next season.

 

NOTHING I AM HEARING IS GOOD NEWS
no need for links to actual stories, just trust me

 

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/july/14/Motspur-Parklife-More-Return-For-Pre-Season-Training/

Not pictured: Mitrovic

Hmm. Not sure I should be reading into this (especially since Reed and Tete are also not pictured) but……..

 

No new signings during the window as of today. I've seen this so many times over the years, it doesn't surprise me but nonetheless, it still is concerning...especially given the tattle surrounding potential exits from Silva on down through the ranks.
COYW