Fulham target Brazilian defender Morato, Benfica reject £18m bid | OneFootball

Premier League club Fulham are eyeing a move for Brazilian defender Morato, according to the Daily Mail.

The Cottagers have made an £18 million offer to Benfica that the Portuguese giants rejected.

Fulham want Morato to provide competition for Tim Ream and Issa Diop next season. Tosin Adarabioyo is set to leave the club with Inter Milan interested.

Morato was part of Benfica’s Primeira Liga title-winning last season. He made only nine appearances but helped them keep five clean sheets. He also represented Benfica in the Champions League.

The 22-year-old could be interested in moving to London after finding game time hard to come by in Portugal.

Another player linked to Fulham is Fiorentina defender Igor. The Brazilian centre-back shone for Vincenzo Italiano’s men as they reached the Coppa Italia and Europa Conference League finals.

Fulham also remain confident they can hold on to left-back Antonee Robinson. He is entering the final year of his contract with the club.

The American international defender is on the radar of Manchester City and Newcastle United, but Fulham believe they can retain his services.

Fulham are still fighting to secure the signature of Brazilian winger Willian, who spent last season with the club.

He registered five goals and six assists to help them finish in the top half of the Premier League table.

However, the 34-year-old is reportedly unhappy with the terms of the new deal Fulham are offering. He finds the salary unsatisfactory and wants to stay longer than one year.

He is considering an offer from Nottingham Forest. Willian’s departure could allow Fulham to move for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi.