Fulham’s plans for next season are cloaked in uncertainty with a number of key players yet to commit to the club until Marco Silva’s future is unresolved.
Out of contract at the end of June, negotiations between Silva and the Cottagers are ongoing. The Portuguese has been at Fulham for nearly five years and supporters hope he will remain at the club while securing European football for 2026-27.
Players coming towards the end of their current deals include Harry Wilson, Raul Jimenez, Ryan Sessegnon and Samuel Chukwueze. The latter has been on loan from AC Milan this season, and Fulham have an option to buy the winger for around £25m.
However it is prize asset Wilson where the real dilemma rests, as Fulham, currently 12th in the Premier League, prepare for a vital west London derby at Brentford on Saturday. While the chase for European qualification intensifies, there is also an acceptance that the Cottagers would need to win at least five of their remaining six games.
‘Wilson leaning towards exit’
Inspirational Welsh international Wilson has enjoyed an outstanding campaign at Craven Cottage, scoring 11 goals. Nevertheless, there is widespread anxiety at the club over the possibility the winger will leave for free. The 29-year-old has been linked with a return to former club Liverpool as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah.
“The club has made a significant offer to Harry, but it appears he is leaning towards a move closer to the north-west where he’s from,” a Fulham club insider told The i Paper. “A lot for him also rests on the possibility of Marco staying, so the club is trying to force something there.
“Harry has had his best season so far, particularly after being a more regular influence as a substitute. He is the player Marco really trusts, so a lot will depend on the manager.”
Fulham ‘actively looking’ at new striker
Jimenez is another influential attacker whose contract soon runs out. Fulham are weighing up whether to retain the popular Mexican international with doubt over the striking positions and, in particular, the role of Rodrigo Muniz. The Brazilian, who was signed from Flamengo for £7m in 2021, has managed just one goal in an injury-hit season.
The club source added: “If Marco stays, then another year from Jimenez is a possibility. Raul has had limited game time but has still scored goals and he is a great dressing-room influence. He could stay and be a big help to the younger players, such as Aaron Loupalo-Bi who is returning from Walsall on loan.”
Fulham are also still undecided over the future of Muniz. They previously turned down a £40m offer from Atalanta, but if a similar offer came in again insiders said “the club would probably bite their hands off”.
The i Paper also understands sporting director Tony Khan could sanction a big money move for a striker, in the region of £40m. Ricardo Pepi is still favourite to sign. Sources said the club is “actively looking to make something happen there after talks with PSV Eindhoven broke down recently.”
Khan keen to add to squad
Irrespective of Silva remaining at Craven Cottage or leaving, there will be money available from owner Shahid Khan to augment the squad for next term. Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, currently on loan at West Ham, is one player linked with the hop across London.
“There is definitely money to spend and the club is preparing to strengthen”, the source added. Fulham are understood to be in the market for a new goalkeeper and will consider a new right-back if Timothy Castagne departs. Joachim Anderson’s inconsistent season means a new centre-back is not being ruled out either, the source added.
“The club are still in the mix for Disasi, but that depends on how much Chelsea would want for him, the source said. “However, Calvin Bassey is very likely to stay and there is a desire to keep Ryan Sessegnon, especially as Antonee Robinson hasn’t been great this season.”
Why the next six games are key
Significantly, there is an immediate need for Fulham to recognise supporter ambitions. Brentford are five places above the Cottagers but only three points separate the local rivals, with Everton, Bournemouth and Sunderland among those clubs also challenging for European spots.
“A lot of this [transfer activity] depends on European qualification, so lots of pressure on the Brentford game at the weekend now as a result”, the source added.
“You have maybe eight teams chasing three places, and fans have looked at the likes of Crystal Palace doing so well in the Conference League and Nottingham Forest in European football this season, and thinking, why not us too?”
