How Fulham's XI could look in 2025; £30m striker and Liverpool ace among five new signings

After another impressive year of coupon-busting from Marco Silva’s Fulham, the question facing the Premier League’s perennial overachievers heading into 2025 is, well, what next?

Can The Cottagers take that next step? Can Fulham emulate, say, the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion and establish themselves amongst the division’s European chasers?

Or, with swashbuckling left-back Antonee Robinson attracting interest from some of the Premier League’s big-hitters, are Fulham about to lose one star man too many?

TBR understands that Liverpool have put Fulham flyer Robinson at the top of their wishlist in pursuit of a new left-back. Arguably the finest in his position anywhere in England’s top-flight, Robinson would take some replacing.

But considering that Fulham lost both top scorer Aleksandr Mitrovic and midfield colossus Joao Palhinha and bounced back, who is to say this plucky, purposeful team out of West London cannot do the same again?

Antonee Robinson out and Kostas Tsimikas in at Fulham?

TBR have been told that Liverpool may be willing to offer a makeweight in any deal for Robinson. Kostas Tsimikas, the club’s long-serving back-up to Andy Robertson, could potentially move in the other direction.

Now, Tsimikas might lack Robinson’s explosive pace – he would give even the odd Olympic athlete a run for his money, quite literally – but you don’t make nearly 100 appearances over five years at Anfield without possessing serious talent.

In fact, if Tsimikas had not spent the last half-decade competing with one of the finest full-backs of the 21st century, he would surely have generated a far greater reputation for himself.

“Kostas has a lot of quality,” former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp once said, highlighting the predicament facing the Greek international. “He can push Andy Robertson but Andy Robertson, in my eyes, is the best left-back.”

If Fulham are willing to consider a cash-plus-player swap deal, the chance to play regular, week-in, week-out Premier League football for the first time is something that is likely to appeal to Tsimikas.

Ditto Ben Chilwell, having fallen out of favour at Chelsea. His one and only appearance under Enzo Maresca, thus far, came against fourth-tier Barrow in the EFL Cup.

Fulham may offer Chelsea misfit Chilwell an escape route down the road at Craven Cottage, though his wages and his worrying injury record perhaps makes Tsimikas a better option when discussing potential Robinson successors.

On the opposite flank, TBR have been told that Fulham are among those eyeing Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel. Another who has represented one of the Cottagers’ local rivals, former QPR flyer Osayi-Samuel has blossomed into a rampaging right-back in Turkey.

Should he return to familiar surroundings, he would likely replace Kenny Tete. That’s if the Dutchman – one of the most consistent and underrated operators in England’s top-flight – does not extend a contract which expires in 2025.

Speaking of expiring contracts, Josh Brownhill’s uncertain future at Burnley has caught Fulham’s attention. With Tom Cairney now 33 – though still as talented a technician as you will come across – a footballer of Brownhill’s experience and versatility, especially on a free transfer, could come in very useful.

Cairney, like Tete, has less than 12 months left on his Fulham deal. As do Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore, although Fulham do have a one-year extension option to trigger, should they wish to do so.

Tolu Arokodare and Igor Jesus among Fulham’s striker targets

Jimenez’s triumphant return to form – four years on from that horror head injury – has been a joy to behold. But he too is 33 now, and certainly not a long-term answer to Fulham’s centre-forward question.

Tolu Arokodare, however, could be.

A 6ft 6ins giant of a number nine, TBR understands that Fulham have watched Arokodare find the net for fun in Belgium with KRC Genk. Igor Jesus, meanwhile, is a very different, and certainly far more expensive, attacking target.

Reportedly valued at £30 million by Botafogo, this has been a breakthrough year for Igor Jesus. He netted on his Brazil debut, helped Botafogo win their first ever Copa Libertadores, and netted 25 goals across all competitions at club level.

Igor Jesus, a mobile, dynamic attacker, likens his game to that of Vinicius Junior and Gabriel Martinelli, even if he prefers to lead the line rather start out wide like the Real Madrid and Arsenal stars.

Botafogo president Durcesio Mello admits Igor Jesus is likely to leave with Arsenal and Chelsea keen too.

Another Brazilian youngster on Fulham’s radar, meanwhile, is Rayan. Vasco da Gama are ready to consider offers for Rayan at £8.5 million. But, at the age of just 18, Rayan would likely be viewed as one for the future rather than someone capable of stepping straight into Fulham’s XI and making a difference.

The same cannot be said of Romano Schmid, however.

Consistently impressive in the German Bundesliga over the last 18 months or so, Schmid’s all-action style, his outstanding high-press and his defence-splitting passes will appeal greatly to Marco Silva. No wonder Fulham have the Werder Bremen dynamo on their wishlist, with his contract situation potentially leading to a bargain sale of less than £10 million.

Fulham admire Romano Schmid and this should have Andreas Pereira – underwhelming this term in a deeper role – glancing nervously over his shoulder.

Jorge Cuenca’s Fulham future may be in doubt already

With Fulham settled in defensive midfield and with Joachim Andersen and Issa Diop options for the right-sided centre-back role, the final position Silva and co may look to strengthen in the New Year is the spot currently occupied by Calvin Bassey.

Jorge Cuenca, a £5.4 million addition from Villarreal over the summer, is yet to make his mark in the capital. And, with TBR learning that Fulham are keen on Nantes’ Nathan Zeze – and with Elfsborg’s Terry Yegbe linked too, via Fotbol Direkt – questions may arise about whether the Cottagers plan to cut their losses on Cuenca already.

Still only 19, Zeze has also caught the eye of Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Wolves and even Liverpool thanks to some outstanding displays in France’s top flight. £17 million, however, is a lot of money for a player who may struggle to displace Bassey from Marco Silva’s XI.

Do not be surprised, then, if Fulham opt for 23-year-old Ghana international Yegbe instead, amid a reported £4 million price-tag.