Fulham rejected Saudi bids for Aleksandr Mitrovic but never received an official bid for Willian, manager Marco Silva has confirmed.
The West London club’s pre-season has been a difficult one, with Saudi interest in Mitrovic, Willian and Silva alongwith injuries to key first-team players such as Joao Palhinha, Tim Ream and Andreas Pereira.
Following reports Mitrovic was determined to leave the club, Silva said he is confident his striker is committed to Fulham and explained that interest of his own from Saudi Arabia did not turn his head as his ambition is to remain in the Premier League, “the most difficult competition in the world”.
He said of Mitrovic: “Mitro was able to play last week two games. This week again he is training every single day with teammates. He’s ready to play.
“I will not lie: one offer that he received made him think. He had clear offer from a club — a very good offer — but he has been the Mitrovic that I know.”
Comparing the Serb’s status to that of Willian, who signed a new contract at Fulham this summer before attracting interest from Al-Shabab, Silva added: “It’s not a similar situation. We received an official offer for Mitrovic, but for Willian we didn’t receive an official offer. I was the person who believed in him last season when no one did.
“I was not close to leaving the club”, he said of his own future. “After two great seasons at this football club, we have to be ready for the interest — it’s a consequence of our season. I have received some offers to leave the club. My decision was to stay. I want to compete at the best and most difficult competition in the world.”
Fulham have signed Calvin Bassey and Raul Jimenez so far this summer, but Silva called on the club to further bolster his first-team squad.
“It’s 100 per cent [true we need more signings]. No doubts. We are really short on numbers. The market has been difficult for us. Seven players left, and when you sign just two players, we definitely need more faces in. We know what we want. We want to add quality. I would have liked to have them earlier, but it’s part of the market.
“I’ve said what I’ve said to the board.”
Reports had suggested Demarai Gray of Everton — who Fulham face in their curtain-raiser on Saturday — would be heading to Fulham after the two clubs made an agreement Gray could leave once Sean Dyche has completed more signings.
But when asked about the deal, Silva replied: “I don’t have this confirmation from our board.”
Meanwhile, Ivan Cavaleiro has left for Lille. The Portuguese winger had struggled for regular game time at Fulham since joining in 2019 initially on loan. He was heading into the final year of his contract.
