Fulham are currently aiming to sign a “prolific” new striker this summer in a bid to convince Marco Silva to stay.
The future of Sylva’s Craven Cottage is in doubt.
Ahead of the Cottage’s trip to the Etihad Stadium tonight, Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola praised Silva: “Defensively and offensively they are really good. Marco is one of the top managers I have played against. He is a top manager and is destined to be one of the top managers in the next few years.”
But the West Londoners could have their work cut out to keep the manager, as his contract expires at the end of the season, and Nottingham Forest are growing increasingly confident of luring the 48-year-old to the City Ground.
Silva’s side have lost their last two Premier League games but are still in a position to qualify for Europe this season, especially given that they were strengthened by signing Oscar Bobb from Manchester City during the January transfer window.
However, sniffs from rival clubs mean Shahid Khan may have to spend big again in the summer, with Fulham currently hard at work on signing PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi, who they had hoped to seal in January.
Despite being sidelined last month, the Cottage remain in contact to sign Pepi and a deal could be finalized at the end of the season for £30m, a slight reduction from the £32.2m he received on deadline day.
Silva is determined to bring in a new striker over the winter, with Khan and others hoping the arrival of the PSV star will persuade Silva to stay, with negotiations on a new contract currently underway.
‘Prolific’ Pepi could be Jimenez’s ideal successor
It recently emerged that Fulham have no plans to offer Raul Jimenez a contract extension, with the Mexican’s current contract set to expire at the end of this season.
It may come as a bit of a surprise that Jimenez is allowed to leave given he has scored four goals and provided one assist in his last nine Premier League games, but the 34-year-old experienced striker could be entering the twilight of his career.
Pepi, on the other hand, is only 23 years old and before breaking his arm, the centre-forward was performing very well for PSV, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists in 22 games in all competitions this season.
The American, who has scored 13 goals in 34 games for the United States and has been described as “prolific” by scout Jacek Kulig, could be a solid replacement for Jimenez, and it would be an added bonus if the addition of a striker convinces Silva to remain at Craven Cottage.
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