Leeds, West Ham eye England youth as contract rebel forces Fulham hand

Reports claim Leeds United and West Ham have joined the list of clubs keen to sign Fulham teenager Fabio Carvalho this summer.

The 18-year-old came up through the Cottagers youth system after moving to west London from Benfica in 2013. The England Under-18 star has progressed through the various Fulham youth teams and shone for the Under-23s last term. He netted 11 goals from 13 appearances in Premier League 2 and was handed a few first-team opportunities.

He made three Premier League starts among four appearances, including against Manchester United. And the youngster scored his first senior goal for the club in a 3-1 away defeat to Southampton.

Clubs have started to take note of the forward’s prowess, with the Whites and Hammers said to be keen. And new Fulham boss Marco Silva wasted little time in throwing him into the mix.

Carvalho was handed a start as Fulham hosted Middlesbrough in their 2021-2022 Championship opener on Sunday. He played 89 minutes as the sides drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage.

But The Sun on Sunday are suggesting his days by the Thames may be numbered. His deal has less than 12 months to run.

And the report claims he has rejected fresh terms offered by the capital outfit. Fulham will not want to lose the youngster for nothing next summer and so may be forced to sell.

Leeds and West Ham are thought to be keen while Norwich and Porto have also been mentioned as possible suitors.

Carvalho impressed Leeds up close and personal

Leeds managed to view Carvalho at close quarters last season. He played for the Fulham Under-23s against the Whites youngsters both home and away.

Although Fulham were thrashed 7-1 at Thorp Arch in December, Carvalho scored a superb goal. And he also netted when the sides met in London.

In the past two seasons, he has found the net on 16 occasions from 33 Premier League 2 outings. Silva appears prepared to trust him with the big boys but may not have him for much longer.

Marcelo Bielsa has been relatively quiet in the transfer market to date. Junior Firpo has arrived from Barcelona while young goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson was signed from Norwegian club Valerenga.

Junior Firpo signing contract (via Leeds United)

Jack Harrison’s three-year loan from Manchester City has finally become permanent. It has been reported that the Ellard Road outfit are targeting CSKA Moscow star Adolfo Gaich.

However, the Argentina international is said to favour a move to Italy.

READ MORE: Leeds United U23 star signs new deal and heads on loan to Italy

Tottenham fight off Arsenal; expect to complete signing next week

Tottenham are reportedly confident of signing Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer, despite an intervention from north London rivals Arsenal.

Spurs are said to have reopened talks with the Italian club over a deal after Tomiyasu finished his stint with Japan at the Olympics. The 22-year-old walked away with nothing as the host nation lost the bronze medal match to Mexico.

The north London club have already completed a deal for Atalanta’s Cristian Romero. However, they still want the versatile Tomiyasu after selling Toby Alderweireld and Juan Foyth this summer.

There are also likely to be other departures, with Japhet Tanganga tipped to head to Turkey this summer. Davinson Sanchez and Serge Aurier could also leave before the end of the window.

Takehiro Tomiyasu Bologna TEAMtalk

Tomiyasu would prove a shrewd investment, given his ability to play centre-back or full-back.

However, reports over the last 48 hours were claiming that Arsenal have joined the race for his signature.


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Spurs sparked in action

That may well have sparked sporting director Fabio Paratici into action, that’s according to Football Insider anyway.

The report states that with personal terms already finalised, the club are now negotiating the structure of the deal.

Tottenham have increased their offer to £17.5million for the former Sint-Truidense star.

If he does sign, Tomiyasu will join fellow new boys Romero, Pierluigi Gollini and Bryan Gil in north London.

READ MORE: Paratici warned of ‘huge risk’ by bringing ‘superb’ attacking star to Tottenham