Saudi and the investment it boasts into their football is taking Europe, and Premier League in particular by storm. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City have been among the clubs that have lost some of their key star players to the Middle East – and now Fulham finds themselves in such dilemma of redeeming one of the faces of the bade in recent years in Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has expressed his desire to leave and join a Saudi Arabian club.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has been a key cog at the Craven Cottage for six years now and has been consistently scoring the key goals, infact last season he netted 14 goals in the league and he was more than just that – with the back at his goal helping the midfield bounce the ball off him to spread play, or helping overloads/underloads.
According to multiple reports by Sky Sports and The Athletic, the Serbian international wants to leave the club and join the Saudi Pro League. While Fulham has rejected a £25.5 million bid for Mitrovic, the situation has sparked a dilemma for the club as they weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of selling their star striker. In fact, as per Sky, Aleksandar Mitrovic has told relatives he will never play for Fulham again after the club valued him at £52m. It’s understood he’s angry at being priced out of a move having been the subject of two failed bids from Al-Hilal
Aleksandar Mitrovic – Keep Or Sell: An Argument
Now for the Fulham faithful, we have seen quite passionate arguments for both sides of things – keeping your key cog & getting that hefty money. For retaining Mitrovic, ofcourse citing his undeniable impact on the team’s performance and his status as a fan-favourite. With three years left on his contract, the club holds a strong negotiating position. By offering Mitrovic a new and improved contract, the club can demonstrate their commitment to him and persuade him to reconsider his desire to leave. The player’s settled life in London, coupled with his significant contributions on the pitch, make him a pivotal part of Fulham’s ambitions for success.
Retaining Mitrovic would ensure continuity in Marco Silva’s attacking play, allowing them to build upon their progress and aim for a successful Premier League campaign. Moreover, selling Mitrovic could expose Fulham to the risk of entering the replacement game, wherein finding a suitable striker with similar attributes and effectiveness becomes a challenging task. A core player like Mitrovic is challenging to replace, and the club’s long-term growth could suffer from such a departure.
On the other side of the fence, there are those who believe that if a player wants to leave – the club should just get rid of him. An unhappy player may create disharmony in the dressing room and affect team morale. Moreover, receiving a significant transfer fee for Mitrovic could provide Fulham with financial resources to strengthen other areas of the squad and bring in new talent. Additionally, some may argue that Mitrovic’s goal-scoring contributions alone might not be enough to guarantee Fulham’s success in the Premier League. Selling him at the right price could allow the club to invest in other aspects of the team, making them more competitive overall.
A Dilemma…
The Aleksandar Mitrovic situation presents Fulham with a challenging dilemma, requiring careful consideration and strategic decision-making. Retaining their star striker would secure a proven goal-scorer, a fan-favorite, and a player pivotal to their ambitions of long-term success. By offering Mitrovic a lucrative contract and demonstrating the club’s commitment to his future, they may be able to convince him to stay.
On the other hand, selling Mitrovic could provide Fulham with financial resources to strengthen the squad and address other areas of need. However, the risk of entering the replacement game and losing a core player’s consistency and impact on the team cannot be overlooked.
Ultimately, Fulham must align their decision with their long-term goals and aspirations as a Premier League club. The complexities of player transfers is a delicate balance between player satisfaction and the club’s pursuit of success.
There were similar arguments when Liverpool received that bid for Jordan Henderson – and they eventually sold him for the price they considered optimum. Maybe Fulham are also trying to get as much money as they can out of this deal and are holding out for those reason.
