According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Fulham is stepping up their attempts to hold onto Bernd Leno, Antonee Robinson, and Andreas Pereira at Craven Cottage because manager Marco Silva is anxious to prevent additional regular starts from leaving the team with Joao Palhinha.
The Portugal international completed a move worth more than £47 million to Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich earlier this week, dealing a severe blow to the Cottagers’ 2024–25 campaign preparations. As a result, with the new season quickly approaching, plans were made to draft in a replacement.
After Tosin Adarabioyo left Fulham for Chelsea a few weeks ago after turning down multiple contract offers, Palhinha left, and Silva is pressuring Tony Khan, vice chairman and sporting director, to thwart any interest in important players before the transfer deadline of August 30.
According to GMS sources, Fulham is determined to hang onto the remaining standout players rather than give in to the pressure of cashing in before the transfer window slams shut. Silva is especially keen to keep Leno, Robinson, and Pereira on board after they have drawn interest.
The three earn weekly salaries of a combined £230,000, so their exits would have a significant effect on the payroll. However, the Cottagers do not want to find themselves shorthanded when they play their first game of the season against Manchester United.
It has been reported to GMS sources that Leno is coveted in the high-spending Saudi Pro League, and with Marek Rodak’s departure, his departure would leave Fulham with just Steven Benda as their goalkeeper, while left-back Robinson has made his way onto the radar of rivals Chelsea and Manchester United in west London.
Pereira, a creative midfielder who joined the capital club for £10 million after leaving Manchester United two years ago, is being watched by both La Liga powerhouse Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa, who will play in the Champions League this coming season after Pereira excelled for the Cottagers the previous one.
Though Fulham has already persuaded Silva to stay in the head coach position and given assurances that his team will be strengthened rather than destroyed, GMS sources have discovered that Fulham is keen to ensure that Palhinha is the last big-name departure before the transfer season closes next month.