Fulham now want to sign Nigerian international midfielder Frank Onyeka from rivals Brentford in January to bolster their options in the centre of the pitch.
A move for long-term target Andre Trindade appears to have gone quiet and so the Whites are now considering alternative targets.
Guardian journalist Ed Aarons has now shared that Fulham and Everton are among the clubs interested in the 26-year-old.
Marco Silva’s side are still fighting in both cups but will have to overcome a 2-1 deficit in the second leg of their Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
While safety in the Premier League isn’t assured yet, Fulham’s main aims now have to be to advance as far as possible in both competitions.
Silva has already suggested that incomings this month are going to be difficult to achieve.
However, that doesn’t mean the club won’t still try and identify potential targets.
Fulham now want to sign Frank Onyeka from rivals Brentford but have been told it won’t be a cheap deal.
The Nigerian international has been described as a ‘hard-hitter’ by his old director of football at FC Midtjylland Svend Graversen.
Not only that, he was once handed the nickname ‘Free-kick Frank’ because he tended to fly into challenges in training.
While Joao Palhinha may be slightly kinder to his teammates behind the scenes, it does suggest Fulham are preparing to sign an alternative – or perhaps even a replacement – for their most important player.
Fulham want to sign Onyeka
Posting on social media, Aarons said: “Understand that Everton and Fulham are among the clubs who are interested in signing Brentford’s Frank Onyeka this month.
“The Nigeria midfielder signed a new contract in the summer and would cost more than £20m. Brentford could try to sign Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi if he goes.”
A £20m fee appears to be out of Fulham’s January budget right now.
But considering the interest in Palhinha still exists, the Whites appear to finally have a plan to replace the Portuguese should he depart this month.
There are clear reasons why Fulham would want to sign Onyeka based on his style of play.
He’s familiar with playing in the Premier League and loves a big tackle and protecting a back four.
However, his time at Brentford hasn’t always gone to plan, with the 26-year-old only starting 26 league games in two-and-a-half seasons, more often than not being used off the bench.
To step in and replace Palhinha, who has been virtually ever-present for the Whites would be a big step up.
Finding a perfect replacement for the Portuguese is going to be impossible but Onyeka would be a step in the right direction.
He would also have the benefit of being helped to settle in by international teammates Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.