Fulham are set to spend more than £30 million on two new centre-backs as they close in on deals for Southampton’s Mohammed Salisu and Ajax’s Calvin Bassey.
It is understood that Fulham are close to an agreement with Southampton over their swoop for Salisu, who will cost more than £15 million.
And the London club are also in advanced talks over an £18 million deal to sign Bassey, a Nigeria international, from Ajax.
Fulham’s move to strengthen their defence comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the futures of both Marco Silva and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who are wanted by Saudi Arabian clubs.
Mitrovic has made it clear that he wants to join Al-Hilal and Fulham have so far rejected two bids, the second worth around £30 million, for their star striker.
Silva, meanwhile, has been targeted by Al-Ahli, with Telegraph Sport reporting earlier this week that the Saudi club are prepared to make him one of the best-paid coaches in the world.
There is also interest from elsewhere, namely West Ham United and Liverpool, in defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha, who impressed at Craven Cottage last season.
Fulham’s progress in the deals for Salisu and Bassey shows that their transfer plans have not been derailed by the uncertainty surrounding their manager and two key players, although it is clear that swift resolutions to those situations would help their pre-season preparations.
Fulham are currently in the United States ahead of friendly matches against Brentford, Aston Villa and Chelsea. Mitrovic is part of the tour but is thought to have been angered by Fulham’s perceived attempts to price him out of a move to Saudi Arabia.
Salisu, who reportedly is also wanted by Monaco, joined Southampton in 2020 and has since made 68 appearances in the Premier League.
Bassey is a Scottish Premiership winner who joined Ajax from Rangers for around £20 million last summer. Brighton have also been long-term admirers of the 23-year-old.
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