As the transfer window slams shut, Fulham fans are left to ponder the moves made by the club—both the arrivals that could shape the future and the departures that signal the end of an era. Let's dive into the major transfers, rating each deal and discussing the impact they might have on Fulham's season.
Arrivals
Ryan Sessegnon (6/10)
Transfer Fee: Free
From: Tottenham Hotspur
Position: Left Midfielder/Left Wing-Back
Analysis: Sessegnon's return to Fulham is steeped in nostalgia, but the reality of his situation is less glamorous. After a string of injuries and a few seasons away from consistent first-team football, he looks far from Premier League-ready. With Antonee Robinson solidifying his spot at left-back and competition fierce on the wings, Sessegnon might find game time hard to come by. While his return is a feel-good story, the impact on the pitch remains questionable.
Emile Smith Rowe (8/10)
Transfer Fee: £27,000,000
From: Arsenal
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Analysis: Smith Rowe is arguably the marquee signing of Fulham's summer window. His creative flair and technical ability make him a standout addition, capable of lifting the squad to new heights. However, concerns linger over his fitness, as he has struggled to complete full 90 minutes consistently. If he can overcome these issues, Smith Rowe has the potential to be a game-changer for Fulham, but the question is whether he can maintain his form over the course of a demanding season.
Jorge Cuenca (9/10)
Transfer Fee: £7,000,000
From: Villarreal
Position: Centre-Back
Analysis: Cuenca represents a smart piece of business for Fulham. At just £7 million, the young Spaniard brings composure and ball-playing ability to the defence. He's one for the future but could make an immediate impact this season, with Marco Silva reportedly very excited about his potential. Cuenca’s signing adds depth and quality to the backline, making him one of the standout deals of the window.
Sander Berge (7/10)
Transfer Fee: £20,000,000
From: Burnley
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Analysis: Berge is a solid acquisition, bringing a mix of physicality and technical skill to Fulham's midfield. However, he's not quite a direct replacement for João Palhinha, whose departure leaves a significant void. With Sasa Lukic performing well, Berge may find it challenging to immediately break into the starting XI, but his versatility and experience will undoubtedly be valuable as the season progresses.
Joachim Andersen (8/10)
Transfer Fee: £30,000,000
From: Crystal Palace
Position: Centre-Back
Analysis: Andersen's return to Fulham comes with a hefty price tag, but it's a necessary investment. Fulham's struggles in playing out from the back have been well-documented, and Andersen’s ball-playing abilities are crucial to solving this problem. While the fee may be slightly higher than ideal, Andersen's experience and leadership make him a key addition to the squad.
Reiss Nelson (7/10)
Transfer Fee: Loan
From: Arsenal
Position: Right Wing
Analysis: The deadline day arrival of Reiss Nelson was a good one for Fulham, adding the depth in a position Marco Silva was crying out for after the departure of Willian. If Nelson can show his best he'll certainly be a great addition to the squad and allow some rotation and further impact off the bench for Fulham this season.
Departures
João Palhinha (5/10)
Transfer Fee: £42,300,000
To: Bayern Munich
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Analysis: Losing Palhinha is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the fee is substantial, reflecting his value as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. On the other hand, his departure leaves a gaping hole in Fulham’s midfield. Replacing a player of his calibre is no easy task, and his absence could be felt throughout the season.
Tim Ream (8/10)
Transfer Fee: Free
To: Charlotte FC
Position: Centre-Back
Analysis: Tim Ream's departure marks the end of an era at Fulham. A club legend, Ream has been an integral part of the squad for years, but with age and new signings, it was time for him to move on. His move to Charlotte FC allows him to focus on making the 2026 World Cup squad, and with Cuenca and Andersen arriving, Fulham’s defence is in good hands.
Bobby Decordova Reid (6/10)
Transfer Fee: Free
To: Leicester City
Position: Centre-Back
Analysis: Bobby has been the Fulham Swiss Army knife for a number of years but, as the squad has continuously been strengthened year after year, Bobby's opportunities have been limited. This move makes sense as he came to the end of his contract and Fulham moved forward with improving their squad as a whole.
Tosin Adarabioyo (5/10)
Transfer Fee: Free
To: Chelsea
Position: Centre-Back
Analysis: Tosin has long been a divisive figure in Fulham circles. Whilst being strong in the air and fairly solid defensively he can at times be calamitous with the ball at his feet and overly speculative with his passing. The biggest downside here is losing a first team player for free to a rival and not getting a fee which, realistically, should have been anywhere between £10m and £30m.
Willian (6/10)
Transfer Fee: Free
To: Unattached
Position: Left Wing
Analysis: Willian was a brilliant signing a couple of seasons ago, reigniting his career with a move to Fulham. He's been able to give so much to the club over the past 2 seasons but it seems he'll likely take a final role of the dice to try and get a big payday before finally hanging up his boots. Again, it's disappointing to lose players on a free but Willian had noticeably slowed in the last 6-9 months and the move makes sense for all parties.
Jay Stansfield (8/10)
Transfer Fee: £20,000,000 (+20% sell-on clause)
To: Birmingham City
Position: Centre-Forward
Analysis: The sale of Jay Stansfield for £10 million is a testament to Fulham's smart business acumen. With just 10 senior appearances, Stansfield hadn't fully broken into the first team, and at nearly 22 years old, it was time for him to move on. The 20% sell-on clause could see Fulham recoup even more in the future, making this deal a no-brainer.
Marek Rodak (6/10)
Transfer Fee: Free To: Al-Ettifaq
Position: Goalkeeper
Analysis: Rodak has had a rollercoaster at Fulham over his time at the club. Constantly our Championship keeper in promotion winning seasons but cast aside as soon as we make it back to the Premier League. With Dubravka closing in on retirement, Rodak needs regular game time to nail down the International spot with Slovakia and, although a strange move to Saudi, at least he'll be getting regular game time.
Kieron Bowie and Ibane Bowat (7/10)
Transfer Fee: £600,000 and £500,000 respectively
To: Hibernian and Portsmouth
Positions: Centre-Forward and Centre-Back
Analysis: Both Bowie and Bowat had yet to make any significant impact on Fulham's first team, and their departures allow them to progress in their careers. The
fees, while modest, represent decent returns for players who were on the fringes of the squad. Fulham’s willingness to let them go shows a focus on trimming the squad and ensuring that young talent can flourish elsewhere.
OVERALL SCORE (8/10)
Fulham's summer transfer window has been full of smart investments and mixed departures. The arrival of players like Smith Rowe and Cuenca injects new life into the squad, while the return of Andersen could be crucial to solving defensive issues.
However, the loss of Palhinha and the fitness concerns surrounding key signings may leave some fans feeling uneasy. There's also gaps at with no extra cover in goal after the departure of Rodak and a lack of depth up front with Stansfields departure. Overall, it’s been a solid window with a few key question marks that will need to be addressed as the season unfolds.
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