FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAM
Fulham boss Marco Silva is ready to raid Chelsea (Photo: Getty)
Fulham could sign two Chelsea forwards on transfer deadline day after missing out on Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson who will join Brentford.
Nelson is among a number of players Mikel Arteta has been trying to move on all summer, a group that also includes Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The winger, who spent last season on loan at Fulham, had been linked with a return to Craven Cottage as well as Crystal Palace as a replacement for Eberechi Eze.
However, a different London club is set to land the 25-year-old, with Brentford close to agreeing a loan deal with Arsenal, which may include an option to buy next summer.
Manager Marco Silva has not been impressed with Fulham’s lack of transfer activity this summer, having signed just one player, goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, for less than £500,000 at the time of writing.
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Talks have been ongoing for two wingers, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Kevin and AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, but two more could arrive from across west London.
Firstly, a deal worth £22million plus a sell-on clause has been struck for Tyrique George, who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Chelsea last season.
Chelsea v Fulham - Premier League
Tyrique George played against Fulham on Saturday (Photo: Getty)
The 19-year-old made 26 appearances, recording three goals and five assists, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup, but the additions of Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho were set to limit his game time this season.
He came on as a first-half sub for the injured Liam Delap against Fulham on Saturday but was then subbed off in the closing stages.
But Fabrizio Romano also reports that the Cottagers are back in the race to sign Raheem Sterling, who needs to leave Chelsea or risk spending the season on the sidelines.
Arsenal FC Portraits - UEFA Champions League 2025/26
Reiss Nelson looks set to leave Arsenal for Brentford (Photo: Getty)
Arsenal Training Session
Raheem Sterling has just a few hours to find a new club (Photo: Getty)
Enzo Maresca told Sterling last summer that he has no future at Stamford Bridge having only signed from Manchester City in 2022 for £47.5million.
He managed to escape to Arsenal on loan on deadline day last year but it ended it being one of the worst transfers of the season, as he scored just one goal in 28 appearances.
The 30-year-old has been training away from Chelsea’s first-team and despite his strong reputation and previous success at the Etihad, interest has been slim.
Raheem Sterling Premier League stats
Clubs: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal
Appearances: 396
Goals: 123
Assists: 75
Trophies: Premier League (2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22), FA Cup (2018/19), League Cup (2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21)
It is said the England international wants to remain in the Premier League and preferably in London where his family are settled and Chelsea would be willing to loan him again despite initially wanting £20m.
West Ham and Palace have also been linked but a move to the latter seems highly unlikely after the Eagles signed Yeremy Pino, with Christantus Uche also set to arrive from Getafe on deadline day.
Sterling is among several ‘bomb-squad’ players Chelsea are trying to push out the door before the deadline, a group that also includes Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi.
More to follow…
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