Fulham: Shahid Khan plays down transfer crisis as Marco Silva laments slow summer | OneFootball

The Cottagers are running out of time to strengthen before the window closes

Fulham owner Shahid Khan insists Fulham are continuing to work on signings as Marco Silva has become increasingly frustrated by the lack of new faces in his squad.

While the Lilywhites have tied Tom Cairney and Kenny Tete down to extended contracts, the squad remains thin, and Silva feels he has started the season on the back foot as a result.

“We have to [buy players] to have a chance,” he told Sky Sports. “Right now, luckily the window is still open. If not we have a big problem on our hands.

“It is not normal at this stage of the season, we just signed one free agent player.

“We are light. It is not ideal. We are completely late. It is not enough time, but we put ourselves in this position and we need to find the solution.”

But Khan, who was pictured at Fulham’s training ground this week, has attempted to play down Silva’s concerns.

Writing in the matchday programme for Fulham’s Premier League clash with Manchester United, he pointed out that Cairney and Tete’s extensions were ‘priority’ deals before admitting that the club is continuing to work on adding reinforcements.

He wrote: “It was a summertime priority to protect the nucleus of the squad that set a Fulham record last year for most Premier League points, and we did by extending the stays of Kenny Tete and our longtime captain, Tom Cairney.

“We will continue – as we always do at this time of the year – to explore all options to strengthen our squad.”

He went on to point out the quality and prospects of academy players Josh King and Seth Ridgeon.

“As important this offseason was keeping and rewarding the next generation of Fulham Academy talent that we feel will make a positive impact on our First Team today and in the years to come.

“That’s why we focused on and ultimately delivered long-term deals for three of our most promising youngsters who have progressed or are advancing through our Academy in Josh King, Luc De Fougerolles and Seth Ridgeon.

After Willian and Carlos Vinicius left the club, Fulham are crying out for attacking depth, a situation which could soon worsen as Martial Godo is also subject to transfer interest from Coventry City.