Fulham and Serie A giants AS Roma have reached a full agreement for the loan transfer of Justin Kluivert, which includes an obligation to buy clause.
According to journalist Francesco Balzani on CentroSuonoSport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Fulham have made a breakthrough in their pursuit of Justin Kluivert in the last few hours and have now agreed on basic terms with AS Roma to take the 23-year-old on loan with an obligation to buy him next summer.
That clause, which is reported to be worth €12 million, would automatically be triggered depending on a certain number of appearances he makes for Fulham this season. The negotiations have been going on for weeks, threatening to collapse amid interest from other clubs including Marseille, Benfica, and Sporting CP.
However, the 23-year-old attacker, the son of legendary Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert, has told the Fulham that he dreams of playing in the Premier League, and is willing to reject Champions League-level interest to secure a move to Craven Cottage. And according to Fabrizio Romano, personal terms are a formality.
Fulham always had the financial advantage over their competitors in Kluivert’s chase, as they were the only suitor willing to cover his full salary at Roma. Also, the Londoners have accelerated the deal following the long-term injury suffered by their summer signing, Manor Solomon.
Justin Kluivert has agreed personal terms with Fulham and his priority is to join the English club as soon as possible. Negotiations ongoing with AS Roma. ?⚪️ #FulhamFC
The two clubs will try to find full agreement, new round of talks scheduled today. pic.twitter.com/LsC8tcTc4g
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2022
Kluivert made headlines for his outstanding rise at Ajax a few years ago. As a result, AS Roma came forward to snap him up for around €17 million from the Dutch giants in the summer of 2018. However, the 23-year-old has never lived up to his full potential and has remained a bit-part player on the fringes of the Serie A club’s squad, only making 44 starts for throughout his tenure.
He has embarked on loan spells at RB Leipzig and OGC Nice without making much progress or impressing enough to earn a permanent move. Kluivert has been frozen out by manager Jose Mourinho, who has made it clear the player is not a part of his plans for the current season.
The Portuguese tactician excluded the 23-year-old from Roma’s pre-season tours. And the Dutch attacker is now set to move to the Premier League by joining Fulham. Kluivert’s contract with the Giallorossi only runs to June 2023, so the structure of the deal was a big hurdle. However, it seems the Cottagers have overcome it, and have total agreement with the Serie A outfit.
Fulham are keen to strengthen their wide position after summer signing Manor Solomon suffered a serious knee injury in training, while Harry Wilson is also sidelined with a knock. Meanwhile, Anthony Knockaert and Ivan Cavaleiro have fallen out of favour with Marco Silva.
To counter that, Fulham have also made enquiries to sign several other versatile forwards, including Hwang Ui-jo, Bamba Dieng, Neal Maupay, and Joshua Zirkzee. But it seems Fulham have pushed ahead with a move for Kluivert and are now on the verge of landing the Dutch international as they look to further bolster their squad to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
