Fulham could present offer in ‘next few hours’ after making contact – Player’s replacement already lined up
Fulham have emerged as a new contender to sign Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
The 26-year-old can operate across the attacking line but was mainly used on the right-wing last season, where he scored 11 goals and registered four assists from 34 games. His displays seem to have attracted interest from Marco Silva’s side.
It’s claimed the Premier League side have already made contact with the Italian club for the forward.
Di Marzio adds Fulham could table an offer in the ‘next few hours’ to secure Orsolini’s services. He doesn’t specify Bologna’s demands or the fee the London club could propose for the Italy international.
The attacker’s contract expires in 2024 and the current window would be Bologna’s last big chance to earn a fee from his sale.
Orsolini could leave in the next few weeks, which is why Bologna have already identified SC Freiburg’s Roland Sallai as a candidate to replace him. Di Marzio states they will bet heavily on Sallai if the Italian were to be sold.
More developments could be expected if and when Fulham present an offer for Orsolini.
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Fulham step up interest in Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun, but the clubs are still £10m apart in their valuations of the striker with the Gunners holding out for £45m
Fulham have stepped up their interest in Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun but remain £10million short of the north London club’s valuation.
The Gunners are holding out for £45million for the USA international, after he enjoyed a successful spell at in France with Stade Reims last season.
Mikel Arteta’s side had initially wanted £50million before lowering their price-tag, however the Cottagers are only willing to pay a maximum of £35million.
Balogun notched 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2022-23 season, with only PSG‘s Kylian Mbappe, Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette and Lille’s Jonathan David scoring more.
The 22-year-old made his debut for the US in June having switched international allegiance from England.
Balogun has been linked with moves to Monaco, Inter Milan and Tottenham throughout the summer but it appears Fulham are currently frontrunners for his signature.
The Cottagers are looking to boost their forward options with rumours persisting that Aleksandar Mitrovic is set for a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Hilal have reportedly revived their interest in the Serbian striker in recent days, tabling a £46million bid for the 28-year-old.
Mitrovic demanded to be allowed to join Al-Hilal earlier in the summer, although he did feature as a substitute in Fulham’s 1-0 win at Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Marco Silva is keen to add Everton’s Demarai Gray, Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi and Leicester City’s Timothy Castagne to his squad with the windfall from Mitrovic’s sale.
However, Balogun is likely to act as the direct replacement for Fulham’s top-scorer from last season.
The striker trained on his own during Arsenal’s tour of the US in the summer, and was left out of the matchday squad for their 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta is looking to trim his squad following another summer of heavy investment that has seen Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurien Timber arrive at the Emirates Stadium.
Although it is unlikely that a deal will be agreed in time for Balogun to make his Fulham debut at the weekend against Brentford, he could be set for a quick return to Arsenal as Silva’s side visit the Emirates on Saturday, August 26.
