- Marco Silva has told Fulham fans their work in the market is not yet done
- Joao Palhinha left for Bayern Munich last month for a reported £42.3million
- Silva admits another midfielder is needed before the transfer window closes
Marco Silva has revealed that Fulham will sign a replacement for Joao Palhinha in the final weeks of the transfer window.
Portugal international Palhinha left for Bayern Munich last month for a transfer fee reported to be £42.3million, plus a potential £4.2million in bonuses.
Cottagers manager Silva acknowledged that Sasa Lukic and Harrison Reed can fill the holding midfield role, but a new face is expected to fill the position before the August 30 deadline.
Speaking ahead of Fulham’s Premier League opener against Manchester United on Friday night, Silva said: ‘We are going to sign a player.
‘We are happy that we have Sasa Lukic and Harrison Reed who can play in that position, but yes, we are going to sign a player for that position.
Marco Silva says Fulham will sign a replacement for Joao Palhinha in the coming weeks
‘I would prefer to have the players we need in pre-season, but the Premier League is tough on and off the pitch and sometimes we have to be patient.
‘The most important thing is that we know what we want and what we need.
“The board is pushing through and working hard. Hopefully they can sign the players we need. We are all working to achieve that.”
Fulham won 2-1 at Old Trafford in February thanks to a late goal from Alex Iwobi.
In the other game at Craven Cottage, United captain Bruno Fernandes took the points for Erik ten Hag’s side, but Silva wants Fulham to make things difficult for their opponents again.
“They know what we can do every time we play them,” Silva added. “Hopefully we can repeat at least the same type of performance as the last two seasons. I will be happy as a manager when I see my team playing like that.
Portugal international Palhinha left for Bayern Munich last month for a reported £42.3million
‘Bruno Fernandes is a top player. I think he is a crucial player for them. He is their captain. Every time he is on the pitch he can have an impact, he can give assists and he has a very high level of tactical knowledge.
‘We have to take his qualities into account, because he can decide the match at any moment of the match.’
Tosin Adarabioyo, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Willian, Tim Ream and Palhinha are among the notable players who have left West London this summer.
After Fulham made a record signing for Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal, Silva believes the club must continue their rebuild in preparation for the 2024-25 season.
He said: ‘The squad is far from complete. We have lost players like Tosin, Tim Ream, Bobby, Joao, Willian, who were starting eleven and crucial players for us. We have to rebuild like last season when we lost Aleksandar Mitrovic.’
Silva reported that he has no new injuries for Friday’s match.