‘Kenny Tete and Timothy Castagne scare off Fulham targets’
Fulham were unable to secure reinforcements at the right-back position despite landing a deal to bring Willian back to the club, according to Peter Rutzler.
Kenny Tete has been with a knee injury since being forced off in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool on 14 December.
The Dutchman’s absence left Timothy Castagne as the only recognised right-back available to manager, Marco Silva.
Devan Tanton, a Colombian international, had been on loan at Chesterfield in the first half of the season, but has since been recalled to provide cover for Castagne.
Rutzler revealed on X, the earliest Tete is expected to return is March. Fulham looked at some right-backs in January, but multiple potential options are said to have been “reluctant to compete” with Castagne and Tete for a position in Silva’s side.
Tete’s contract expires in the summer, meaning Fulham will have to agree a deal, or find a replacement for the Dutch right-back.
Rutzler confirmed a deal for Willian is done and should be announced on 4 February. Fulham were potentially interested in AC Milan winger, Samuel Chukweuze, but nothing culminated from that interest.
Martial Godo was close to a loan move to Watford, but for the second time, a loan fell through at a late stage for the young winger, who impressed on loan at Wigan last season.
Fulham secure return of Willian on Transfer Deadline Day
Football Insider Verdict
Fulham’s academy has produced a number of potential world-beaters in recent years, though many of them have struggled after leaving the club.
The most notable names to come through the Whites’ academy recently, have been Patrick Roberts, Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Sessegnon.
Roberts has rekindled his career at Sunderland, while Elliott remains a useful squad player at Liverpool.
However, Carvalho has struggled mightily following a move to Liverpool in 2022, and joined Brentford last summer, where he has failed to impress.
Sessegnon remains a fan favourite at Craven Cottage, and has been slowly integrated into the Fulham side by Silva since his return to the club from Tottenham in the summer.
Fulham’s academy currently sit second in the Premier League 2, level on points with Man City, and Silva will continue to call on his youth players after a quiet January transfer window.
Godo is viewed as a talented player by Silva, and has appeared three times for the Whites this season.
Tanton was expected to be integrated into the first-team in pre-season of next summer, but the lack of a right-back signing has forced that plan to be accelerated.
In other news, Fulham had a late bid turned down for a Fenerbahce star on deadline day.
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