The rumours linking Preston North End midfielder Ben Whiteman with a move to Fulham appear to be amounting to nothing.
Whiteman’s future has been a hot topic in the last couple of weeks, sparking a little more chaos than we could have imagined.
A social media rumour surrounding interest from Watford sparked mayhem before the media went with Fulham as a potential destination.
The Sun claimed that Fulham were keen on a £5million move to sign Whiteman before the transfer deadline.
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The Sunday Mirror (22/01, p76) reported the same, with Whiteman seemingly identified as a budget alternative to Abdoulaye Doucoure.
That left PNE fans very worried, though Ryan Lowe has indicated that there have been no offers for Whiteman.
Well, it looks like Fulham are moving on to other midfielders and PNE may not have anything to worry about in the coming days.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Fulham have made a £10million offer for Torino holding midfielder Sasa Lukic and are waiting for him to decide on a move.
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol adds that Fulham are now in talks to sign Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge in a £20million move too.
Fulham seemingly hope to sign both players before the transfer deadline in a £30million double deal, bolstering Marco Silva’s midfield.
That would likely mean that Whiteman won’t be heading to Craven Cottage, which be a relief to PNE fans and no doubt Lowe too!
Now is the time to really push for a new contract with Whiteman though.
Whiteman’s deal expires in the summer of 2024, meaning he has now entered the final 18 months of his deal.
Whiteman’s value will be decreasing in the coming months and PNE really can’t afford to lose him for next to nothing like Ben Davies and Ben Pearson.
If Whiteman isn’t going this month – and it looks like he won’t – then PNE need to try and throw everything at him to stay or accept that a sale will come in the summer.