Sources: Tottenham and Fulham race to sign Gift Orban after deal agreed
Fulham are ready to challenge Tottenham for the signing of KAA Gent star Gift Orban, sources have told Football Insider.
The 21-year-old is on the Cottagers’ list of potential replacements for talismanic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Fulham confirmed the departure of Mitrovic on Saturday (19 August) – with the Serbia international joining Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia for a reported £46million.
The Cottagers will now need to secure a replacement for the 28-year-old, who notched 15 goals and four assists in 28 games last season.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Orban is one of two strikers on the shortlist for the west London club as we near the 1 September deadline.
The 21-year-old only joined Belgian outfit Gent from Norweigan side Stabaek in January but took no time to adjust to his new surroundings.
Orban managed 20 goals and two assists in 22 appearances in the second half of the 2022-23 campaign.
He has also already notched six goals in six appearances for Gent so far this season – including four goals in the Europa Conference League qualifying.
Having joined only recently, the Nigerian has just under four years left to run on his contract.
Fulham have already moved for one striker in the summer window.
Marco Silva’s side signed Raul Jimenez from Wolves in July, paying a reported £5.5million for his services.
The Mexico international has started both of the Cottagers’ Premier League games to date but is yet to find the net.
Fulham face Arsenal later this week (26 August) after a chastening 3-0 derby defeat against Brentford on Saturday (19 August).
In other news, Fulham hit by £120m blow after unexpected twist.