Fulham may be on the verge of offering another struggling Premier League player a shot at redemption, as reports suggest the club is set to meet with the agent of a defender for whom they’ve already submitted a proposal this month.
Craven Cottage has increasingly become a haven for players seeking to revive their careers. It’s where Andreas Pereira found his form after falling short at Manchester United, where Alexander Iwobi is thriving like never before, and where Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez are rediscovering their spark following a difficult spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
These individual turnarounds have helped Fulham become a formidable top-half side under Marco Silva. Currently sitting 10th in the Premier League and vying for a spot in the Europa League or Europa Conference League, the Cottagers could use the January transfer window to bolster their squad further and close the gap on their rivals.
While Mainz 05 defender Anthony Caci has been linked with a move to West London, Fulham’s attention might first shift to another player in need of a fresh start.
According to Calciomercato, via Sport Witness, Fulham are now preparing to meet with the agent of Emerson Royal, having already made an initial proposal to sign the AC Milan right-back.
Fulham’s offer is reportedly structured more attractively than Galatasaray’s, despite being lower than the Turkish club’s €2m (£2m) loan fee and €13m (£11m) summer purchase option.
Emerson’s availability stems from Kyle Walker’s rumored transfer to AC Milan from Manchester City, which has rendered the Brazilian surplus to requirements at the San Siro. What Milan considers expendable, Fulham could see as an opportunity to turn a struggling player into a valuable asset.
Emerson, who endured a challenging spell at Tottenham Hotspur, often found himself in the spotlight for disappointing performances. However, Fulham could provide the platform for the right-back to rewrite his narrative. If he joins the Cottagers, Emerson might not only revive his career but also deliver a measure of revenge against his former club in London, achieving the Premier League redemption he so desperately needs.
Royal was praised even after his struggles ended in a move to Milan, with Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou telling reporters as relayed by One Football: “Yeah, Emi super guy, great pro again. It is one of those decisions you have to make when you are trying to change squads. Really popular amongst the group and not just because he is a great guy,
“He didn’t play a lot last year in his preferred position, but you wouldn’t know it the way he trained every day. He is the hardest worker at training and really top guy. He is a guy you would want to spend time with. A big heart, loved by all and I think it is a fantastic move for him.”
