In a story that seemingly went under the radar, perhaps because Fulham never actually made a move, was Marco Silva’s interest in Rayan Cherki.
The young forward, who has always been seen as a great talent yet to fulfil his potential, has enjoyed a rollercoaster of a season to date, but finding some form of late under Pierre Sage.
L’Equipe are the ones bringing the interest forward, with it said Fulham had been interested in his services for January, but never made a ‘concrete offer’.
It’s probably best that they didn’t, as it avoided them getting rejected by the 20-year-old, because the French newspaper add the forward ‘was not open’ to leaving Lyon midway through the campaign.
Under contract there until 2025, this summer would be the best time for Cherki to leave, and it could also depend on whether his club avoid the drop to Ligue 2.
They currently sit 16th, in the relegation playoff spot, after 19 games in what has been a very poor campaign by a team that is normally firmly in the top half of the table.
There is still plenty of time for them to turn it around, but Fulham will have better chances of luring Cherki away in the summer.