Fulham

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It promises to be a big season for exciting forward Jonah Kusi-Asare after he completed a £5m permanent move to Fulham in the summer

The Swede, who turned 19 in July, joined on a five-year deal with an option for a further 12 months after he had played 10 times for the Cottagers while on loan from Bayern Munich last season.

Kusi-Asare is 6ft 5in and has represented Sweden at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level.

He made seven substitute appearances in the Premier League last season. However, with last season's top scorer for Fulham, Raul Jimenez, moving to Wolves in the summer, expect Kusi-Asare to play a larger role this term.

Read more on youngsters to watch at each Premier League club this season

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on how you feel about Fulham's signings and potential this season?

Here are some of your comments:

Daniel: Seeing Real Madrid players joining gives me hope after a worrying start to the window. Hopefully they live up to the potential they clearly have. A few more signings and a push for Europe isn't off the cards.

Kevan: Fabulous to see two young former Real Madrid talented players signed. But so far, it's still too little too late. Rodrigo Muniz just isn't good enough and I, for one, would like to see Joachim Andersen replaced at the earliest opportunity.

Peter: These signings are the Real (Madrid) deal. Well done Fulham for getting this business done before the start of the campaign as Marco Silva always wanted…

Terry: This is a great start but hopefully Fulham will not stop there. We still need another centre-back, a full-back to upgrade Robinson and a goalkeeper. I would also be delighted to get Joao Palhinha back in on loan.

Quinn: Good question. Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios signing was a huge relief. Plus, keeping so many excellent 'youngsters' and experienced players; Iwobi, Bassey et al. will be crucial. Could be good. A change of 'style' might be a concern. Hopefully, Arbeloa will enjoy himself and be exciting, as promised.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham's new duo from Real Madrid, Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, said it was the "perfect step" and that they are "grateful" for the move to join Alvaro Arbeloa at Craven Cottage.

Speaking to club media, FFCtv, Garcia said: "I have to thank the board and Arbeloa for the trust they've put in me, and I'm very, very excited to start."

The 22-year-old made 39 appearances for the Spanish giants last term, scoring eight goals in all competitions.

Attacking midfielder Palacios, 21, made five appearances for Real's senior side - all from the substitutes bench - and has played for Spain at under-20 level.

"I am very emotional to be here. The club is showing a lot of trust in me, and I'm going to show it on the pitch," said Palacios.

How do you feel about Fulham's signings and potential this season? Tell us

Should a club build a new stadium or upgrade its current home in a bid to maintain some history? How significant is a new ground in terms of revenue generated? Will it move the needle?

BBC Sport has worked with football finance expert Kieran Maguire to consider the impact a new home has.

Take a look at your club's matchday revenue figures from 2024-25 below and get the full article here.

Real Madrid duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios have been having medicals with Fulham after an agreement over permanent moves for the Spanish striker and midfielder were agreed. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham wrapped up their pre-season training camp in Portugal with a 2-1 victory over Liga Portugal 2 side Farense.

Despite a dominant first-half performance, Farense went into half-time with a one-goal advantage after beating Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte with a neat finish.

The Cottagers came out with a renewed energy in the second half though, hitting back with two goals from the penalty spot in the behind closed doors friendly.

Alex Iwobi converted the first spot kick after Emile Smith Rowe was brought down in the penalty area, before Rodrigo Muniz tucked away the second just one minute before full-time.

Centre-back Calvin Bassey and right-back Kenny Tete also went close with their own efforts in open play as Alvaro Arbeloa's side went another game unbeaten in pre-season.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham are advancing talks to sign Real Madrid midfielder Cesar Palacios, with Alvaro Arbeloa also driving interest in striker Gonzalo Garcia.

Palacios, 21, is a key target for Arbeloa, who worked with him in the academy after serving as a youth coach before taking interim charge of the Spanish giants last season.

The move could be one of several involving players from the Bernabeu, with Garcia among the forwards being considered to replace Raul Jimenez following his return to Wolves this summer.

However, Fulham remain doubtful about a move for Garcia because of Jose Mourinho's desire to keep him as part of his squad.

That also raises the possibility of Real Madrid placing a high valuation on the striker, with Fulham considering a number of options in one of their priority positions going into the new season.

Fulham are still yet to sign any players beyond turning forward Jonah Kusi-Asare's loan move from Bayern Munich last season into a permanent deal. They also lost attacker Harry Wilson to Leeds on a free transfer.

Image source, Getty Images

Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.

Chief refereeing officers from all 55 European national football associations met last week with Uefa refereeing officials and a representative from the International Football Association Board (Ifab) to address recent changes to the game's laws.

Attendees said "lengthy, microscoping reviews" indicate VAR has gone beyond its original scope.

When VAR was added to the laws of the game in 2018 by football's rulemakers Ifab, its "philosophy" was "minimum interference - maximum benefit", with the intention of reducing "unfairness caused by clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents" relating to goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity.

Uefa said that at its recent meeting that refereeing bosses agreed a return to those original aims is needed.

"It was reiterated that, in accordance with protocol, VAR must only intervene in situations of 'clear and obvious' error, ie. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident," Uefa said in a statement.

"VAR is not meant to re-referee the game, it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making.

"Lengthy, microscoping reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited."

Ryan Sessegnon scored Fulham's first goal under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa as the Premier League side drew 1-1 in a pre-season friendly with Al-Ahli in Albufeira.

Fulham - beaten 2-0 by Norwich in their pre-season opener on Saturday - fought back from behind as Sessegnon levelled a Ricardo Mathias opener.

Arbeola used 22 player in all and his side take on Portuguese side Farense next on 1 August.

Fulham's Sasa Lukic is among midfield targets for newly promoted Ipswich Town. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

English football is set to implement a trial to try to eradicate the goalkeeper tactical timeout this season, BBC Sport can reveal.

The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women's Super League have agreed on the measure, pending permission from the International Football Association Board (Ifab).

Earlier this year, Ifab decided against changing the law and invited leagues to volunteer for trials.

Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, has been in discussions with the leagues to determine how to tackle the issue. It settled on a team having to remove an outfield player from the field.

If a referee signals that the physio can come on to treat a goalkeeper, the coach will have 10 seconds to nominate another player to leave the pitch for one minute, telling the fourth official of their choice.

If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain must leave the field.

Read more on the trial

Fulham are the leading option for 18-year-old Argentina midfielder Franco Mastantuono if Real Madrid send him on loan this season. (AS - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Fulham FC

Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed his backroom staff set-up before his first season in charge at Craven Cottage.

The former Real Madrid boss was unveiled as Marco Silva's successor on a three-year contract on 8 July.

Here are the new additions to Arbeloa's staff:

• Alex Salvador - head of strength and conditioning

• Kevin Cardeiro - head of player development

• Francis Sanchez - head of analysis

• Julian Carmona - assistant head coach

• Ricardo da Silva - head of performance

• Borja Fernandez Freiria - lead goalkeeping coach

The six new faces join Ali Melloul (first team coach), Colin Omogbehin (first team development coach) and Geoff Warne (goalkeeping coach), who were already working alongside Silva.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham have started exploring alternatives to Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia.

The 22-year-old was one of the options outlined by Alvaro Arbeloa, who worked with him when interim manager at the La Liga giants as well as in his role in the academy at the Bernabeu.

However, Jose Mourinho is known to rate the striker highly and is keen to keep him in the Spanish capital.

It remains a key position Fulham wish to strengthen having seen Raul Jimenez leave on a free transfer to return to former club Wolves.

Fulham also pulled out of a deal to sign PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi towards the end of last season.

Image source, Fulham FC

Fulham have launched their new home kit for the 2026-27 season, which the Whites say is inspired the River Thames next to the stadium.

"Our historic white jersey features a unique pattern woven into the fabric of the shirt, inspired by the movement of the water created within the river beside our Craven Cottage home," said a Fulham club statement on the kit release.

The shirt is accompanied by black shorts and white socks with black and red accent trims, to create a "timeless look".

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham have opened negotiations with Real Madrid over a potential move for 22-year-old striker Gonzalo Garcia, who has one cap for Spain. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to pick one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want Fulham to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Here are some of your suggestions:

Tim: With Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez gone, we desperately need attacking reinforcements. Alvaro Arbeloa should use his Real Madrid connections to bring in Gonzalo Garcia or Franco Mastantuono. As much as I like Jedi, I'd move on Antonee Robinson while we can still get good money for him and we have a ready-made replacement in Ryan Sessegnon, who looks good to go as a left (wing) back.

Liam: We need a prolific striker, so Zian Flemming or Troy Parrott could be good fits. Rodrigo Muniz is a great guy, but he doesn't score goals. It's probably time to help him move on to a different club.

Rohan: We should buy Aaron Ramsdale. He will not want to play in the Championship and, really, Bernd Leno was poor last season. Ramsdale is a realistic and solid transfer we can make to improve our situation in goal.

Ben: Out: Sander Berge, hopefully to Manchester United for around £40m as rumoured. In: Joao Palhinha, bring him home for hopefully £28-30m with a net gain.

Sid: Joachim Andersen should be let go and we should sign another centre-back like Dan Ballard from Sunderland.

Neil: Joshua Zirkzee would be perfect for us. It would remind me of the type of signing Aleksandar Mitrovic was from Newcastle. I would propose a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy if he scores 15 goals.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham centre-back Issa Diop has signed a four-year deal to join promoted Ipswich Town after a four-year stint at Craven Cottage.

The 29-year-old, who featured in five of Morocco's matches at this summer's World Cup, joined Fulham from West Ham United in August 2022.

Diop went on to make 96 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring three goals and contributing one assist.

A club statement, external said the defender had "embodied professionalism, commitment and dependability" during his time in SW6.

"I would like to thank everyone at Fulham," Diop said. "I am grateful to have worked alongside such a great group of team-mates, coaches and staff every day.

"I would also like to thank the supporters for all of their backing during my time here - it always meant a lot to me.

"I'm proud of what we achieved and the memories we created, and I hope that Fulham continue to be successful.

"Merci, Fulham!"