Fulham ready to hijack Nottingham Forest deal as Palhinha move edges closer

Fulham are ready to hijack Nottingham Forest’s deal for Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana as they look to get a replacement lined up for Bayern Munich target Joao Palhina, sources have told Football Insider.

Fulham are drawing up a list of targets in case they lose Palhina to Bayern in the final 48 hours of the window and Fofana figures highly on their list.

Fofana, 24, has been held talks over joining Forest, but now Fulham could now ambush their Premier League rivals by agreeing a deal for the France international.

On Wednesday (30 August), Football Insider revealed that Bayern are stepping up their pursuit of Palhinha and are ready to test the English club’s resolve ahead of the close of the transfer window on Friday (1 September).

Thomas Tuchel has made the 28-year-old his top target as he looks for a defensive-minded midfielder to add to his ranks.

Fulham are reluctant to lose Palhinha so late in the window but have picked out Fofana as a replacement should they lose their current star.

Fofana’s current contract at Monaco runs until 2024 but includes the option of a further year.

The Frenchman joined the Ligue 1 club from Strasbourg in 2020 and has made 143 appearances in that time, netting three goals and offering up 11 assists.

Fulham have started their 2023-24 campaign well.

The Cottagers rescued a point against last season’s runners-up Arsenal on Saturday (26 August) before knocking Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday (29 August).