http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 have joined Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the signing of Fulham’s maverick playmaker, Moussa Dembele.
The West Londoner’s face an uphill task of holding on to Dembele with the three English giants expressing their interest in the player and contemplating launching a bid for him when the transfer window opens.
Fulham have rated Dembele at 15 million pounds but the player’s contract expires in a year’s time, which could result in the bidding to start below the £10 million mark.
Dembele joined Fulham from the Dutch club http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar for £5m in the summer of 2010 as a striker, but Martin Jol has assigned him the role of attacking mid-fielder following his move to the Premier League side.
However, Dembele has expressed desire to move to Tottenham in order to play at a ‘higher level’.
“I'm not concerned about losing time here, but it's clear that I'd like to play at a higher level.”
"Spurs were interested but I can't talk about other clubs. I'm ambitious and would like to play for a club in the top five.”
In January, he was linked to a move to White Hart Lane but nothing came of it.
Lucrative offers from bigger clubs mean that Fulham, who cannot match the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham in terms of club stature and player wages, would face a strenuous task of keeping Dembele.
Dembele, who hails from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belgium-c2850, has scored 6 goals for Fulham in 62 appearances with his lone goal for this season coming against Wigan Athletic. His smattering goal tally during his stint at Fulham has posed question marks for those vying for his transfer.
"His end product is an issue," stated one of source. "But if you play him in the right role with the right players he can make an impact."
Meanwhile Fulham’s boss Martin Jol has set aside the possibility of Dembele’s move and reiterated his crucial role and importance at Fulham.
"It's up to us to keep them here, and that's what we're trying to do. I think Dembele could develop into one of the best.” Said a hopeful Martin Jol as he spoke to the reporters.
Jol recognizes the importance of Dembele and has compared him to Spur’s left foot schemer Rafael van der Vart.
"In a few months, maybe a year, he will be like Rafael van der Vaart," said Jol last November. "Dembele will learn and go on to become one of the best players in the Premier League."
Tags: