Transfer Speculation
A recent report by Hertfordshire Mercury has stated that Fulham are desirous to lure Watford striker, Stefano Okaka, to the Craven Cottage before the transfer window shuts down. His agent had previously confirmed that some Ligue 1 clubs are also interested to sign him which made things slightly difficult for the Cottagers.
Fulham’s Need
Fulham are desperate to sign a striker to inject some more quality to their attack and have thus put Okaka on their radar. The Cottagers are currently placed at the 6th spot in the Championship table with 48 points to their name after 29 encounters. They are very much in the race for promotion to the Premier League but there is still a lot to be done in the coming months.
It would certainly take some persuasion from the Whites to prise Okaka out of the Vicarage Road as players do not prefer to opt for a downward step (in terms of the league). Slavisa Jokanovic has relied heavily on Rui Fonte and Aboubakar Kamara but they have been far from outstanding. The race for the ticket to the top flight will only get tougher from here onwards and it would be sensible on the part of Fulham to sign Okaka.
Fact File & Attributes
The Italian international started his senior career with Roma and during his time at the Italian capital, he was shipped out on loan to clubs such as Fulham, Brescia and Parma. Parma signed him from the ranks of the Yellow and Reds but he couldn’t cement his place in the side. Then he moved to Sampdoria and Anderlecht before the Hornets signed him in the summer of 2016.
However, he has not been getting adequate opportunities at Watford this season, as he has been handed merely a couple of starts in the Premier League. The 28-year-old, at this stage of his career, would definitely want to have more game time under his belt. A loan spell to Fulham makes a lot of sense, for he would be embraced with open arms in the ranks of the London based outfit.
Okaka boasts of a strong physique and is more than a decent predator inside the box. He has the strength to hold the ball meticulously in the final third and is quick enough to outrun opposition defenders. On top of that, his desire to prove his doubters wrong will be an added incentive for the striker if the move materialises in the next few hours.
