Premier League high-flyers Fulham have reportedly set their sights on the €35 million-rated Sao Paulo trio of Rodrigo Nestor, Igor Goes, and Pablo Maia.
Fulham are lining up an ambitious €35 million triple swoop in the January transfer window for Sao Paolo trifecta, Rodrigo Nestor, Igor Goes, and Pablo Maia. That is according to BLOG SPFC PLAY, which claims the Premier League club have enquired about the trio and detailed how much each player will cost the Cottagers.
Having been promoted under Marco Silva last season, the Cottagers are off to a flying start in the Premier League and are in seventh place with 19 points from 13 matches. This comes after they took a more conservative approach to recruitment after securing their return ticket to the promised land of the English top flight.
Only five teams spent less money on new recruits this past summer than the Cottagers. Their £55 million outlay was spent on the likes of Joao Palhinha, Bernd Leno, Andreas Pereira, and Willian, all of whom have played a crucial part in their success so far.
After the success of Willian and Pereira, Fulham intend to return to the South American market at the turn of the year as they look to boost their outside European bid, with not one or two but three Sao Paulo players on their wish list.
They have recently submitted an improved second offer for 20-year-old Pablo Maia after their opening bid was rejected by the Brazilian outfit. Sao Paulo are demanding €10 million for Maia despite the player entering the final 12 months of his existing deal.
A tough-tackling, aggressive, and all-action presence, Maia has seamlessly slotted into the senior side after being promoted from the youth ranks and has become a mainstay in Rogerio Ceni’s first team, making 28 Brazilian Serie A appearances.
Fulham do not have a like-for-like replacement for Palhinha in their squad. Maia is a player in a similar mould. And signing him is a bit of a no-brainer to reduce the engine room workload on Palhinha, who is absolutely critical to the Cottagers’ system.
Nestor is the most expensive of the prized trio, with Sao Paulo not willing to entertain anything less than €15 million for the midfielder. The 22-year-old has excelled in an attacking midfielder role this season and has contributed with eight goals and 11 assists this term. He is under contract until 2024.
Igor Gomes, who like Maia is rated at €10 million by the Brazilian club, could also leave in the New Year, with Premier League duo West Ham United and Nottingham Forest also keeping close tabs on his situation. Fulham will hope that they can fend off the competition from their top-flight rivals to win the race for his signature.
