Fulham

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.

A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.

I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.

As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.

So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Charlotte FC manager Dean Smith has spoken of the importance of adding Fulham defender Tim Ream to his squad.

The 36-year-old has ended his nine-year spell at Fulham to sign a two-year deal at one of Major League Soccer's newest franchises, with an option for an extra year included.

He will link up with former Aston Villa, Leicester and Brentford manager Smith, who told BBC Sport: "I felt we needed more national team and American players in the squad. We haven't got the biggest American numbers in the squad, but it's for obvious reasons because we are a new club.

"The top Americans are the more expensive ones to take and as a new club we probably had to throw our cast further afield.

"Now we are two and a half years old and we have got the chance to go and sign a top Premier League player and he's coming in as a member of the men's national team.

"His experience and calibre and his leadership are certainly something that will boost us in the dressing room."

Ream revealed his aims were to push towards the play-offs and fight for Charlotte's first trophy and he could make his debut against New York Red Bulls on 24 August.

We asked for your views on the news that Tim Ream will be leaving Fulham after nine years and 312 appearances for the club.

Here are some of your comments:

Mitch: Absolute legend of the club. How he turned it around at the start when Jokanovic was looking to offload is inspiring. Good luck Tim. Future USA head coach.

SJLM: A fantastic servant to the Whites, instrumental in many successes over the last nine years and a leader on and off the pitch. He will forever be in the hearts of many many Fulham supporters. Thank you Tim Ream!

Tom: Tim Ream proving the doubters wrong after all the years of being "not good enough for the Prem", playing 33 times and scoring against Palace. He deserves to go back to the States a bonafide Fulham legend.

Adam: I went to football with my grandad who didn't like Ream and I said he is a good player and the fans love him. He then scored an important goal for us and the whole crowd including my grandad shouted "REAAAAAAAAAAAM". He said he was wrong about him and he is a great player. Thank you for the memories Tim Ream!

Neal: Thank you Tim - a great leader and a fantastic servant for Fulham. Stayed with us during the difficult times so he could celebrate our successes. Good luck and you will always be welcome back at The Cottage.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham have announced that long-serving defender Tim Ream is leaving the Premier League club to join Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC.

The USA international joined Fulham in 2015 from Bolton and won three promotions to the top flight with the club, making 312 appearances during his nine years at Craven Cottage.

Speaking to the club website, external about his departure, Ream said: "When I walked through the Motspur Park doors in 2015, I would have never predicted what the following nine years would bring.

"The memories made, the connections formed, and the people met along the way have made my time at Fulham more than special.

"I wish I could thank everyone individually for the part they played in shaping me as player, but more as a person. For all of that, I am beyond grateful.

"As of today, I am no longer a player, but I will always be a fan of Fulham Football Club."

Fulham fans - what are your favourite memories of Ream's nine years with the club?

Have your say here, external

Fulham have cooled their interest in Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, after a £20m bid was rejected by Manchester United for the 27-year-old, who is valued at £30m by the Red Devils. (Times - subscription required), external

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

Fulham remain in contact with Manchester United over a potential deal for 27-year-old Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay. (Sky Sports), external

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

We asked for your thoughts on Fulham's pre-season friendly against Benfica on Friday.

Here are some of your comments:

Will: Not the most interesting game by any means, but in 2022-23 pre-season we lost this game 5-1 so it shows how far we have come as a club.

David: It was a terrific match. Adama Traore caused untold chaos in Benfica’s defence in the first-half. We could have been two or three goals up by half-time and in the second-half we defended well and was lucky not to concede. We definitely need too sign a Joao Palhinha replacement and another centre-back to compete with Issa Diop.

Terry: Always good to win. It was a first outing where we showed good form, especially in the first half. Disappointing no new faces (apart from Sessegnon). So, overall I am happy.

Did you learn anything from that pre-season game, Fulham fans?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external

We asked for your views on Fulham signing Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Will: I think this is the perfect move, we have seen in the past that Marco Silva has rejuvenated players such as Willian, Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore back to their best after a period of poor performance. It's a great move for him and I really think he will shine.

Ken: Marco Silva is one of Fulham's best managers. He has signed players whose careers looked like they were going backwards and completely turned them around. Let's hope he can do this with Smith Rowe and some other players he is linked with. Totally underestimated manager.

Peter: An Arsenal friend told me that Smith Rowe was better than Saka at one point and that he has been held back by injuries. If he stays fit I think this will be a great signing for Fulham. Arsenal fans unhappy to see him go tells you all you need to know.

Bill: A superb signing, can't wait to see Marco mould him into the side. Europe beckons!

Tom: Delighted! We have a good record in recent years of taking players whose careers have stalled at other Premier League clubs (Leno, Pereira, Wilson, Willian, Iwobi) and turning them into consistent performers. I hope Smith Rowe can join that list as we become an established Premier League team.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham have announced the signing of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old England international has signed a five-year deal which will keep him at the club until 2029. The club has also negotiated the option to extend his contract for a further year.

The attacking midfielder made 13 Premier League appearances for the Gunners last season, registering two assists.

Speaking to club media after completing his move, Smith Rowe said: "I'm really excited. I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible so I could get going with my team-mates.

"Listening to the project, speaking to the manager and seeing what players we have here already, I think it is an exciting project for me.

"It is definitely the perfect step for my career going forward."

Fulham fans, are you excited by this signing? What do you think his role will be?

Tell us your thoughts here, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It is anticipated Manchester United will reject Fulham's offer for Scott McTominay but the Scotland international's future is again uncertain after West Ham tried to sign him last summer.

The Old Trafford club are trying to generate funds to buy new players and the injuries to defender Leny Yoro, who is set to miss three months, and striker Rasmus Hojlund heighten the issue.

McTominay is moving into the prime years of his career and wants to be a first-team regular.

Fulham are in advanced talks to sign Villarreal's Spanish centre-back Jorge Cuenca, 24, for £6.7m. (Standard), external

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

After Fulham revealed their new away kit for the 2024-25 season, we asked you what strips from the past it brings to mind:

Here are a selection of your comments:

Charlie: Very happy with this away kit! Best one we have had for some time! Some of our most historic moments have been wearing those two colours! Very excited to get my hands on it and to see it out on the field!

Huw: The 1975 FA Cup run - amazing days.

John: Away kit reminds me of the 1975 FA Cup run - Bobby Moore, Alan Mullery, Les Strong, John Mitchell, etc.

Will: Think this is an absolutely brilliant kit with elements of AC Milan. Can’t wait to see Rodrigo Muniz as number nine leading us to a great season in this.

Tom: Absolute stunner. Throwback to the 2001 away Pizza Hut classico. Best kit in the Premier League - hands down.

Image source, Fulham FC

Fulham have unveiled their away kit for the 2024-25 season.

The club say the kit "evokes memories of famous away Fulham strips".

But what do you make of it, Whites fans?

What seasons does it remind you of?

Let us know your thoughts, external

Fulham have agreed a deal to sign 24-year-old Spanish centre-back Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Wolves and Fulham have entered the race to sign 21-year-old French defender Isaak Toure from Lorient. (Football Insider), external

Finally, the Whites have not ruled out sending English striker Jay Stansfield on loan again this season. The 21-year-old scored 13 goals on loan at Birmingham City last season. (Standard), external

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

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Players like Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund are already suffering from hamstring injuries two weeks before the season even starts - and they say the modern preparation regimes are better, safer and more scientific!

They probably are better. At least the players do not have to go through some of the borderline sadistic routines that previous generations did. Back then, after a decent length of summer break, pre-season meant working incredibly hard over a short period of time to get yourself back in top condition fast.

Sprinting up and down gigantic sand dunes against the clock until many players were physically sick was de rigueur, alongside other road runs and track work.

Here is the weird part: I used to look forward to that, the way a class swot looks forward to exams. Being smaller, lighter and a committed long-distance runner all my young life, even before I became a pro footballer, it was, if not exactly a piece of cake, then certainly much easier for me than most of the rest of the team.

I have asked many modern managers what they would prefer to do in a perfect world during their pre-season. The most common answer is "just about anything other than what we are forced to do now!"

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Fulham are set to make a new offer for Manchester United's 27-year-old Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column