Leeds United have launched a £32 million proposal for a Fulham player who has been complimented by Marco Silva in recent months.
According to rumors, Leeds United attempted to outbid Newcastle United for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, presenting a bid of £32 million for the Brazilian.
The Craven Cottage outfit has received an initial bid of £26 million, with an additional £6 million in prospective add-ons. However, The Evening Standard reports that the West London club has rejected the proposal, citing the Brazilian as one of their most prized assets.
West Ham United were thought to be interested in the midfielder in January, and earlier this month, NUFC Blog revealed that Newcastle United were considering a bid for the youngster after one of their other targets, Liam Delap, joined Chelsea for £30 million. The Magpies apparently went as far as meeting with the players’ representatives.
Rodrigo Muniz’s contract predicament at Fulham
Muniz is under contract at Craven Cottage for another year, but Fulham have the option to extend his contract by another year, giving him a total of two years. Fulham are not under any pressure to sell this summer, but if a new deal is not reached, the situation may change in a year.
The club does not intend to sell the 24-year-old, but they have not fully ruled out his eventual exit because they are open to do business at the correct price.
The Evening Standard reports that Leeds is unlikely to return with an improved offer, although Newcastle has not been knocked out of the competition. Muniz scored 11 goals across all competitions last season. He has 26 goals in 97 appearances for Fulham and has been with the team since 2021.
Marco Silva hails Rodrigo Muniz as a “proper quality” striker.
Fulham were one of just two teams to overcome Liverpool last season before the Reds were crowned Premier League champions. They rallied from behind to win 3-2 at Craven Cottage, with Muniz netting the critical third goal as he outperformed Virgil van Dijk to score Fulham’s third in early April.
“He’s a proper quality striker,” Fulham manager Marco Silva told Match of the Day of Muniz after the stunning win. “He’s still very young, but he’s moving quickly and doing exceptionally well. We have a really talented striker. He is aware of this, as well as of my opinion. He has a lot of room for improvement, but he’s incredibly strong for a No. 9 attacker.
“The capacity to play with his back to the central defenders, then inside the box being a technical player and sharp enough to take these types of moments which he showed again.”
He has also received praise from Premier League record goal-scorer Alan Shearer, who remarked of him following a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth: “He was a handful.” It’s difficult to play against, and even worse.
“That is usually a good thing for a centre-forward; that is what you must be. He was strong, he ran the channels, he pulled guys into the game, and he really shocked the Bournemouth defense with everything he did.”
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