Fulham transfer guide: Recruitments out wide in defence needed while Joao Palhinha must be protected | OneFootball

T

he success Marco Silva has enjoyed in his two seasons at Fulham have seen his involvement in the player recruitment process gradually grow.

That is a big positive for the Cottagers ahead of a transfer window for which they seem well prepared.

They invested smartly last summer and have a well-balanced squad as a result.

Their transfer business may be as much about convincing players to stay at the club as it is about signing new ones.

Wingers. Willian and Manor Solomon were crucial out for Fulham wide this season could be key to their hopes of prospering again next season.

Willian signed a one-year contract after joining on a free transfer last summer and is in talks over an extension.

Solomon has been on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk and a FIFA ruling has confirmed he will be able to leave the Ukraine club on a free transfer this summer.

Fulham would like to secure him to a permanent deal but are set to face competition from Premier League rivals.

What else they need

Fulham hope to strengthen at centre-back, where Tosin Adarabioyo and Issa Diop need more competition, Tim Ream is not getting any younger and Shane Duffy is out of contract.

Both full-back positions could also do with bolstering as the understudies on both sides — Layvin Kurzawa and Cedric Soares — are set to leave after loan spells.

Fulham must also keep half an eye on defensive midfielders. Joao Palhinha has been one of the signings of the season and is attracting interest from rivals Premier League clubs.

Solomon became a valuable source of goals when Aleksandar Mitrovic was serving his eight-match ban and would be a great signing.

There are no suggestions Mitrovic or his deputy Carlos Vinicius will leave this summer, but striker Fran Navarro from Portuguese side Gil Vicente is being monitored.

Fulham have also been linked with £13m Lyon midfielder Romain Faivre.

Possible outs

Mitrovic is bound to attract some interest after scoring 14 Premier League goals this season and showing he can cut it in the top-flight. Chelsea are said to consider the Serb among their long list of a possible forward targets.

Veteran centre-back Duffy will likely leave when his contract expires next month.