Latest

Fulham issue hands off warning over Mitrovic

|
Image for Fulham issue hands off warning over Mitrovic

Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan has delivered an update on the future of reported West Ham United target Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Hammers were reported by the Mirror to have set their sights on the Serbian international, who according to the Times is rated at £40million by the Cottagers.

Speaking on the Fulhamish podcast, Khan put a hold on those rumours by saying: “I would like to retain as many of our key players as possible, and that includes Aleksandar Mitrovic. We made a big investment to get him here and I believe in him, last season he played so hard for us and he sets a great tone in the dressing room and on the pitch. I am doing everything I can to keep him.”

Mitrovic signed for Fulham permanently from Newcastle after their promotion to the Premier League in 2018 for £22million. The 24-year-old scored 11 goals in a losing effort as West Ham’s London rivals were eventually relegated.

This comes in the same month that Real Betis were reported by Mundo Deportivo to be in negotiations with Fulham over a possible deal for the forward.

OPINION

The merry-go-round of potential new West Ham strikers continues to spin round this month, with Manuel Pellegrini no closer to knowing who will lead the line for him next season. Maxi Gomez seems to be the Chilean’s main priority, with the Celta Vigo forward currently on international duty with Uruguay. Another forward at the Copa America is Salomon Rondon, with the Hammers reportedly having a cash plus player swap deal rejected by West Brom on Tuesday. As for Mitrovic, any deal for the Serbian now seems highly unlikely – with Khan insisting he will not stop at anything to secure the 24-year-old to at least another year at the club. That would most likely mean he would demand a steep figure to tempt his hand, something near the £40million that was suggested by the Times. If West Ham were prepared to pay that then they may as well just activate Gomez’ reported £43.5million release clause. The hunt for a new striker is far but over, with surely many expected twists and turns to come in the coming weeks.

Share this article