Fulham: Marco Silva offers Aleksandar Mitrovic update and confirms transfer plan

Whites boss is leaving ongoing striker saga to Craven Cottage hierarchy as he targets new wingers and full-backs before the September 1 deadline
Dom Smith18 August 2023

Marco Silva insists the Fulham board have not informed him that a bid has been accepted for the sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbian striker scored 14 Premier League goals for Fulham last season, and 43 Championship goals in 44 matches as they won promotion to the top-flight the season before.

Al-Hilal had £25.5million and £35m bids for Mitrovic rejected earlier this summer, with the Saudi Pro League side having since made a new and improved offer of £46m having already wrapped up the £86.4m signing of Brazilian superstar Neymar this week.

Yet amid reports of that third bid being accepted, Fulham boss Silva said on Friday: “I have not had this information. Business and this situation, we have people to take care of it.”

Silva was also insistent that the club must make more signings before the September 1 transfer deadline, particularly in wide attacking positions despite the arrival last weekend of free-agent winger Adama Traore.

“We lost from our football club [Neeskens] Kebano, Manor Solomon and Daniel James in the wide positions,” he said. “We have signed Adama. We are looking for another one in that area of the pitch.

“I don’t see how it is possible not to sign more players. We are really short in some positions. We need two more full-backs to come to our football club.”

Future uncertain: Marco Silva is unsure if Fulham have now accepted a bid from Al-Hilal for top striker Aleksandar Mitrovic
PA

Asked whether another European push is the target for Fulham this season, Silva was coy, saying: “We have to be realistic.”

He was full of praise for Brentford manager Thomas Frank, whose side Fulham host in their first home match of the new season at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

“They can punish you in different games” he said before the west London derby. “They are really good on the counter-attack, but set-pieces as well. He’s doing a great, great job. They are really tough to beat, a compact side.”

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