Fulham

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder and Planet Premier League pundit Cesc Fabregas believes the transfer window should close before the season begins.

Listen to the Planet Premier League podcast on BBC Sounds

We asked what you have made of Fulham's transfer window so far, and what needs to be done on deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Gordon: Go back and hijack Napoli and get McTominay and get maybe Billy Gilmour as well. Even if that does not happen, let's get a striker in for some competition for Muniz. Cherki was a rumour and that sounds like a great deal.

Lucas: Like Marco Silva said, we need another forward, preferably a winger. Harry Wilson's recent performances have not been up to Premier League standards so it would be nice to have some more depth there, especially after losing Bobby Decordova-Reid to Leicester.

Kevin: Without a shadow of a doubt we need a striker. Someone with pedigree ideally; someone who Stansfield and Muniz can look up to in terms of their own development. I can see our midfield creating many chances. Sadly I can't see our current strike force converting as many as we would need to have the success we crave.

Keith: I think our transfer business has been OK. It looks as if we are pretty strong in defence and midfield but we need a bit more bite up front. Seeing how Jay Stansfield took his goal on Tuesday night I think he could a good job but I am a little worried if he gets injured. I don't think we should rely too much on Smith-Rowe.

Tim: Marco Silva to sign an unbreakable 10-year contract!

Here's all you need to know about transfer deadline day on Friday...

When does the window close?

The transfer window will close at 23:00 BST on Friday, 30 August for the Premier League, English Football League and Scotland.

The date was brought forward by the domestic leagues to align with European leagues.

Across Europe, the Bundesliga window will close at 19:00, Ligue 1 at 22:00, La Liga at 22:59 and Serie A at 23:00, but the Saudi Pro League transfer window remains open until 7 September.

Can a Premier League player signed on deadline day play this weekend?

Under league rules, new signings are eligible for the next Premier League game if the club submit the required documents by midday on the last working day before that match.

So any player signed after 12:00 on deadline day would be unable to play in this round of Premier League fixtures.

Where can I see all the confirmed transfer deals on deadline day?

You can find all the deals completed on transfer deadline day within our dedicated confirmed transfers page.

When does the January transfer window open?

Clubs will be able to make transfers again from Wednesday, 1 January until Monday, 3 February at 23:00 GMT. This is the same in Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

How can I follow transfer deadline day on the BBC?

We have this live page dedicated to all the latest transfer news, reaction and analysis.

You will also find regular updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and breaking news across BBC Sport's social media channels, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

There will also be a special edition of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button from 22:00 until 23:15.

Fulham are exploring a late move to sign Lille and Kosovo winger Edon Zhegrova, 25, before the transfer window closes. (Football Insider), external

The Whites will not sign Newcastle United and Paraguay winger Miguel Almiron, 30. (Mail), external

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

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Silva said it is "clear what position we're looking for" with one day remaining in the transfer window and added: "I love all the players we have so far. We are confident we can get the last player and piece from the market, which is a wide player. We lost two wingers last season and we need to sign one more."

• The Fulham boss feels they have "planned really well" so far this transfer window and "with our board, we have been working really hard to get the players as soon as we can".

• He added: "We are pleased because we have a good mix of players, Premier League proven players with experience as well."

• On their Carabao Cup win over Birmingham City on Wednesday night: "It was a good test for us because they created some problems. We were able to be solid and that's a good sign too."

• On midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, who scored on his home debut last weekend: "Emile has something different for us. He needs to adapt to the way we press and the way we play off the ball because that position demands hard work for ourselves."

• On opponents Ipswich: "We are talking about a club with an unbelievable mentality from the last two seasons. When you are promoted from League One to the Championship and Championship to Premier League, it is an unbelievable run. I know what it is to create that winning mentality."

• He added: "It will be a tough game. They have signed players with Premier League experience, players with a lot of quality who will be important for them."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

The transfer deadline is almost upon us, so tell us what you've made of your club's business and if more is needed?

Send your thoughts here, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Fulham and Chelsea winger Willian is open to another Premier League move as he insists he can play until he is 40.

The Brazil international, now 36, is a free agent after leaving Craven Cottage this summer when his contract expired.

When asked why he left Fulham and where he next sees his future, Willian told BBC Sport: “I decided to leave Fulham much before the end of the season in January or February. I had it in my mind that I would leave after speaking with my agent and family. It wasn't a decision made at the end of the season but a couple of months ago.

“I am looking at some options at the moment. I am thinking about possibilities in Europe, England, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the MLS - just not Brazil as an option for me.

"I am trying to see all the possibilities and think about making the right decision right now. I have some offers already and this is the key moment to decide my next challenge.”

As a free agent, Willian could move after the transfer deadline as long as there is space in squads to register him.

He has continued to stay in shape and believes he has “three or four years” left in him, adding: “I am feeling great physically and in two seasons at Fulham, I didn't have any problems at all, so I feel completely great.

“I am working in the gym to be in good shape but, of course, it is different from training every day and being ready inside a club. But I am doing all I can to be in good shape for my next club.

"I think my level physically and mentally is great. I think I can play for three or four years more - maybe until I am 40 years old! I feel motivated and at a high level."

He also praised Fulham and former manager Marco Silva for reviving his career after a tough spell at Corinthians.

"I only have good words to say about Fulham. It was an amazing two years and they treated me so well. I will always be thankful to them for opening the door to play in the Premier League again.

"The owners, people who work in the club, the guys and Marco Silva - he is a great coach and person."

Fulham are interested in signing Lyon's 20-year-old Ghana winger Ernest Nuamah. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Fulham's Switzerland defender Kevin Mbabu, 29, is set to join Danish champions FC Midtjylland on a two-year contract. (Standard), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup third round, with 17 Premier League clubs having made it through or entering at this stage.

There are three all-Premier League fixtures, including holders Liverpool hosting West Ham in a repeat of last season's quarter-final.

Ties will be played in the weeks commencing 16 September and 23 September.

All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below:

• AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United

• Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers

• Brentford v Leyton Orient

• Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Chelsea v Barrow

• Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur

• Everton v Southampton

• Liverpool v West Ham United

• Manchester City v Watford

• Manchester United v Barnsley

• Preston North End v Fulham

• Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace

• Walsall v Leicester City

• Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa

See the full draw

As transfer deadline day looms, what do Fulham need to do before it's too late? Or are you happy with where things are up to?

Tell us here, external

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the second-round tie between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

The seven English clubs involved in European competitions this season, including holders Liverpool, will enter at the third-round stage.

Ties will take place on weeks commencing 16 and 23 September.

Because there are rounds of Champions League and Europa League fixtures also scheduled for those two midweeks, the six clubs involved in those competitions - Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United - will be kept apart to ensure they can fulfil their Carabao Cup tie in the alternate midweek to their European fixture.

Those six clubs will take part in a pre-draw before Forest v Newcastle to decide if they will be at home or away in the third round, with a main draw determining the 16 ties later in the evening.

Should Chelsea progress to the next phase of the Conference League, they will not be in action in that competition again until the start of October.

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Carabao Cup game between Birmingham City and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Ben: Very average performance on the day. Great opportunity for fringe players like Wilson, Raul and Reed to give Marco a headache for Premier League games, but none gave a particularly good account of themselves. Could barely keep the ball against a League One side. On to the next.

Lucas: It was a performance that certainly could have been better. However, I thought we defended really well. Some sloppy passes - though that's to be expected from a team who haven't played a lot together. Glad we got the job done. Also extremely happy for Stansfield.

Tarquin: Although we were rarely troubled, I thought Birmingham bossed a lot of that game just without an end product. The penalty could have gone either way. Birmingham must feel slightly hard done by. But I'll take the win and clean sheet all day.

Tom: We barely got out of second gear, but 2-0 up after 15 minutes is nothing to complain about. Great for the strikers to get off the mark for the season, and hopefully Andersen's long pass for the second goal is a sign of things to come.

Sean: Raul is toast - we definitely need another centre-forward. Sessegnon is not a defender, he's a forward. Wilson is next for the chopping bloc - he's just not quite good enough for our current level. All the new signings look very decent.

Will: Job done, enough said.

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Rex Features

Birmingham fans know all about Jay Stansfield's scoring ability. So too do Fulham supporters after the 21-year-old helped his Premier League club avoid a Carabao Cup upset against his old team.

Stansfield spent 2023-24 on loan at Birmingham, his 13 league and cup goals one of the few positives as the club were relegated from the Championship.

On Tuesday, his composed finish to put Fulham 2-0 up against Birmingham - after Raul Jimenez opened the scoring from the penalty spot - was one of the highlights of the tie and showed Stansfield could yet be a useful weapon for Fulham this season.

Stansfield refused to celebrate his goal out of respect to the club where he spent last season.

Boss Marco Silva, who has placed the EFL Cup among his top priorities again after steering his side to last season's semi-finals, chose to change his entire team for this game.

The way they got the job done shows there is plenty of depth to his squad.

Stansfield will be eager for more game-time but will it be with Fulham or will he end up having to go out on loan again?

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

What did you make of your team's performance, Fulham fans?

Let us know here, external

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies.

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are five Premier League teams in action on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.

Follow live here

And listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Birmingham v Fulham on BBC Sounds

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

The best thing about football is how your emotions can switch in an instant. We’re a fickle bunch, after all. And after this week, everyone’s a bit giddy.

For all the talk about Fulham’s penchant for deadline day deals, we got two fantastic players through the doors of Motspur Park this week within days of each other.

The arrivals of dynamic midfielder Sander Berge and centre-back Joachim Andersen will put Sasa Lukic and Issa Diop on red alert. But in our win over Leicester on Saturday, you could see both were playing for their place in Marco Silva's starting XI. Diop in particular has had a solid start to the campaign, having also impressed on the opening day.

Silva says he is looking to bring in one more player - a wide attacking option. You’d imagine it has to be someone on the left to push Alex Iwobi, with Adama Traore and Harry Wilson currently battling for the right wing berth.

Marco also says he doesn’t want to see any more exits this week. That’s understandable; Fulham lost no fewer than four first-teamers this summer. But Kevin Mbabu and Carlos Vinicius weren’t even handed squad numbers for this campaign, so you’ve got to think they’re an exception. The latter in particular won’t be short of a suitor or two in Europe.

One player we certainly can’t afford to lose is Jay Stansfield. With Rodrigo Muniz still very much a work in progress, you’d imagine Silva will call on the young forward at some point this season. And as with Andersen and Berge, competition for places is what will help drive us up the table.

If Fulham’s season really does begin in September, then we already have a three-point head start. And with a winnable game against Ipswich next, if we’re not careful our giddiness might get out of hand.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray spoke to BBC Radio 5 live about Fulham's transfer buisness in the summer window:

"I think it's been shrewd. Four of the five signings have Premier League experience and they know exactly what they are getting.

"[Joachim] Andersen is a surprise for me, that Crystal Palace have let him go. Everything good that Crystal Palace have done has been under his guidance, he's almost like a manager on the field, a real leader.

"[Emile] Smith-Rowe, I think he's going to burst into life at Fulham. He's been kept at bay for too long at Arsenal and he'll enjoy playing football week in week out."

"I think Fulham and Marco Silva's signings have been very good this summer."

Listen to the full episode of Football Daily here on BBC Sounds

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup game against Birmingham City.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Jorge Cuenca "will start" and make his full club debut against Birmingham City.

• There are no new in jury concerns and Silva did not clarify whether new signings Sander Berge and Joachim Andersen will feature.

• On the new signings being available or not: "It is important to have all players at the same level from a physical point of view."

• He said "we respected the competition" last season and reached the semi-final, so "the ambition in the competition is really high" this season again.

• On League One opponents Birmingham: "We have to respect them. They are in a different division but they are probably favourites to go up."

• He said the club "are fortunate to sign a player" like Emile Smith Rowe "but he needs time" because he has not been playing regular football. Silva added: "He is still young and in a learning process. He is going to be important for us. He needs more games to be in his best shape but we have seen the impact he can make."

• On his hopes for the remaining days of the transfer window: "We are working really hard to add another forward player to play in the wide areas."

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Fulham and Leicester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Simon: This was always going to be a tough game, especially with Leicester coming off a good first game. They were set up to defend and counter-attack, but we were better from start to finish and controlled the game. There were grumblings about a lack of cutting edge, but this will come with more games and as our new players bed in. Overall, very positive.

Alex: The first half was very strong from Fulham. Emile Smith Rowe is off to a great start thanks to Adama Traore. I was optimistic after so many key players leaving, but I think we have made up for that with players like Sasa Lukic stepping up. A strong performance from Fulham but a nervy final 10 minutes, which is expected. Bring on the next game.

James: Smith Rowe scoring on his home debut was great to see. I was a little frustrated with the equaliser after dominating the first half. I felt Fulham deserved to win the game and Iwobi made sure of that. We look better defensively but we need to be more clinical when on the front foot. I'm happy to see three points on the board. Ipswich away next!

Toppy: If Marco Silva gets out of his own way on the touchline and stops transmitting panic to the team, all of his positive attributes will see us excel this season. We don't need another Manchester United meltdown. Passion is not an excuse for stupidity.

Leicester fans

Gav: We gave the game away. We offered very little up front after signing Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Jordan Ayew as Premier League standard upgrades, but they both look League One standard. Fulham won in second gear.

Chris: I'm not going to criticise the effort but when you're crying out for creativity and you see no striker on the pitch, Jordan Ayew being 'neat and tidy' and Wilfred Ndidi being the most advanced player, makes you concerned. How Steve Cooper can somehow seemingly not fancy arguably our best player in Ricardo, I just don't understand!

Fred: I think it's inevitable that we are going to have wins and losses, but we need to be better at the back and up front as well. I think Steve Cooper is doing very well to adapt the team to the Premier League. We just have to stay positive and get behind the team to cheer them on. It is the least we can do.

James: I think we Leicester fans need to keep our expectations in check. We are expected to struggle and pick up points where we can. We deserved nothing, with any hint of a repeat of the second half against Spurs quickly extinguished. Back to the training ground to work on our attacking threat, which needs a signing or two and quickly.

Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 4-0 Everton

• Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

Fulham goalscorer Emile Smith Rowe has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I can't be happier. To play my first game at Craven Cottage, and get three points, I'm really happy.

"My good team-mate Alex [Iwobi] made a good movement for me to get in behind, so I'm really happy with my goal today. He let me have it today and it was a really good goal."

On being the club's record signing: "It is a good pressure. I think the team and staff have welcomed me so nicely. I got a warm welcome today from the fans as well so I'm feeling really at home."

On Iwobi's goal: "A great goal for him. I'm really happy for him."

On the overall performance: "Coming off Friday, which was a tough result [against Manchester United] for us away from home, it was really important for us to get a good result."

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "A tight score, but it is clear the best team - the most dominant team, the team that did more to score - won the game.

"A top level for our first 30 minutes. The way we started the game was dominant. The quality, the connections, the way we arrived so many times around the box. We created some good chances.

"Set-pieces play a big part. We need to be much more consistent. It is something we are normally strong in. We have to improve in that type of situation, but it is a good thing that we kept calm and didn't start to rush everything.

"In the second half, it was not the same quality of football. But we won so many corners and so many shots. Rodrigo [Muniz], I don't know how many shots he had this afternoon. Normally, with these type of chances, he is going to score one or two.

"There were very good moments from us. I didn't see chances from Leicester, to be honest."

On Emile Smith Rowe: "It is not best to think about whether he is the club-record [signing] or not. We recognise his quality. I'm sure he is going to be important, as he was today. I'm sure he is going to be even more important in the future. He is getting the minute in the tank that he needs.

"Last season, he didn't almost play and he didn't have a normal pre-season, so it is going to take a bit of time for him to be in the best shape he can be."

On VAR intervening for Leicester's goal: "It is a decision that we have to respect."

On needing more forward players in his squad: "We are going to add a wide player. We lost two wingers from last season, so we are going to add a wide player. Those areas of the pitch are going to be the last piece of our market."