The end of the Premier League season is now in sight and Fulham will likely have to pay up £2million before the summer transfer window even gets going.
Fulham have found form of late and have claimed three impressive victories over Manchester United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur.
Few really had relegation fears this season but Marco Silva’s men have pulled well clear of the drop zone.
Fulham are now 17 points clear of the relegation zone and with points deductions and seriously struggling sides at the bottom of the table, Fulham don’t have much to worry about.
The magic ’40 point mark’ is nearing for Fulham and final weeks will just be about trying to rack up as many points as possible and attempt to secure a top-half finish.
One thing is for sure – few Premier League clubs will fancy a trip to Craven Cottage right now.
This has been an encouraging season and boss Silva will be looking for additions to this squad this summer, but one fee will be paid before the window even starts…
Fulham set to make Bernd Leno payment
Upon promotion from the Championship in 2022, Fulham pounced to snap up goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Arsenal.
An experienced performer at the top level, Leno was a major signing for Fulham and he has certainly played his part over the last two years.
The deal Fulham struck was a cheap one, paying just £3million up front.
Another £2million was paid upon staying in the Premier league last season and, as per Sky Sports, another £2million would be due if Fulham avoided relegation in the 2023-24 season.
Fulham aren’t absolutely mathematically there yet but safety is on the cards and that means the £2million payment to Arsenal will be due imminently.
That will take the total price up to £7million with an extra £1million payable for an unknown number of appearances, meaning Leno may have already hit that mark.
£8million in total is great value for money with Leno continuing to play well, so much so that he earned a Germany call-up in this international break.
Arsenal may have been happy for Leno to go but the deal has worked perfectly for Fulham, landing a proven goalkeeper without breaking the bank.
Few at Fulham would complain about a total £8million package for Leno and this next £2million payment just means that the German has played his part in helping establish Fulham in the Premier League again.