In quite the decision, Fulham are now apparently willing to show the door to win the battle to sign a £30m successor ahead of the likes of Chelsea this month.
Fulham transfer news
The West London team has stolen the show in the Premier League this season, grabbing a point at Anfield against Liverpool and upsetting Chelsea in spectacular fashion at Stamford Bridge. However, it was Marco Silva’s team who came close to losing to relegation rivals Ipswich Town, as three penalties between the two sides resulted in a 2-2 draw the previous time out.
Despite remaining as high as ninth, Craven Cottage might benefit from further upgrades in the January transfer window, having previously been connected with Manchester City’s James McAtee.
Reports have even said that they are willing to pay a club record £40 million to capture the Manchester City starlet, which would be an outstanding bargain. But he isn’t the only one they could spend money on.
According to Graeme Bailey of The Boot Room, Fulham are now leading the race to sign Igor Jesus, who is worth up to £30 million at Brazilian club Botafogo. It has even been stated that the Cottagers are willing to let Muniz go in order to free up finances for the forward, allowing him to return to Brazil while Jesus arrives in the opposite direction.
If that’s the case, Jesus is undoubtedly a name that Fulham values highly, given Muniz’s recent form after a difficult start to the season.
“Great” Jesus could solve Fulham’s pending problem
With Raul Jimenez at 33 years old and unlikely to stay at his current level for much longer, Fulham’s biggest concern may be right around the corner. Signing Jesus at this point, however, might give an immediate solution as they try to add a striker who can lead the line for years to come.
Given their willingness to part ways with Muniz, it appears that Fulham do not see their current Brazilian as a potential main man at Craven Cottage.
After receiving his first call-up to the Brazil national team in October and scoring his first goal for his country, 23-year-old Jesus quickly became the focus of Ben Mattinson’s praise. The commentator, possibly hinting at a prospective move to European football, lauded Jesus’ “great form” in the current season.
Jesus, who scored 25 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions for Botafogo and Shabab Al-Ahli last season, is headed for a move to Europe, possibly to Craven Cottage, in the near future.