The FFC Rumour Mill: Traore to Forest and Sterling on way in?

Jack Stroudley has all the latest transfer news from the past week.

Fulham’s cogs appear to be finally turning! Marco Silva stated this week that he understands fan frustration, so hopefully we can continue to move forward. Nonetheless, here’s all the gossip from the last week.

Incomings

Fulham confirmed on Saturday that Benjamin Lecomte has joined the club on a two-year contract from Ligue 2 side Montpellier, and he was in the matchday squad for our 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in Portugal.

You can learn all about our new arrival here. The other piece of confirmed news is that Seth Ridgeon has signed a long-term contract with Fulham, despite interest from Manchester United. The 16-year-old is highly regarded and has travelled to Portugal to join the first-team squad for the pre-season tour. Fulhamish is supported by its readers.

To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. According to The Athletic, Reiss Nelson’s transfer to Fulham is nearing completion, with ourselves and Arsenal in advanced talks.

The agreement will consist of an option that will become an obligation if certain conditions are met. This obligation is likely to be based on Nelson’s number of appearances this season, with Fulham wanting to protect themselves in case he suffers another serious injury. This one feels like a matter of when, not if.

Fulham have made a formal approach to sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, with Ben Jacobs reporting that our SW6 neighbours would want a permanent fee of more than £30 million, while Sky Sports reports that Fulham are looking into a loan with an obligation at the end of the season.

Two credible sources have now confirmed that we are in for Dewsbury-Hall, so there is truth to it. I believe the £30 million price may deter Fulham, but it is one that I am confident will continue.

Staying with Chelsea, Fulham is also interested in 30-year-old winger Raheem Sterling, who is looking to relaunch his career and compete for a place in the 2026 World Cup.

Fulham may look to complete the deal later in the window due to Sterling’s high wages, with the player interested in the move and wanting to stay in London.

This one feels very dependent on others; if we still have a domestic loan spot available on deadline day, I’d be willing to bet a lot of money that we’d throw a deal sheet in. Time will tell.