Blow As Belgian Midfielder Rules Out Move

The summer transfer window is open and Football Talk will bring you all the latest transfer news. Today, clubs have been dented in their pursuit for Fulham midfielder Mousa Dembele.

Mousa Dembele has insisted he’s happy to remain at Fulham despite reported interest from several top flight clubs, according to the Daily Mail.

The Belgian ace enjoyed an excellent season at Craven Cottage last term and has now firmly established himself as an important first team player having made the move to London from AZ Alkmaar in 2010.

The 24-year-old has only one year left on his current contract and the Mail report that Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all interested in the midfielder and are ready to take advantage of his uncertain contract situation.

However, Dembele has insisted that he has no intention of leaving Fulham this summer, and is enjoying playing under manager Martin Jol. Quoted in the Daily Mail, Dembele said:

‘I’m very happy to stay at Fulham, especially because of the boss, ‘I think it’s very important to have the backing of the manager and he’s a coach who gives me a lot of confidence – that’s why I feel I owe it to the gaffer as well.

‘I think every player needs that and I’m no different. I go to training every day and work with joy. It’s a fantastic club and I’m not in a hurry to move anywhere.’

Dembele arrived at Fulham as a forward but was shifted back to central midfield by Jol last season, and the player revealed it’s a role he’s enjoying.

‘I’m very happy with the change this year in the position I play because I’m a player who likes to have the ball as much as possible – and that is down to the manager as well,’ he said.

‘I think I can hold the ball very well – and it’s an advantage to the team if I have a lot of the ball, so I like that position a lot.

FT Verdict

It sounds like Dembele is happy to stay at Craven Cottage, but will he be allowed to without signing a contract extension?

Fulham officials are unlikely to allow the player to enter the final year of his contract and risk losing a prized asset for nothing next summer, so despite Dembele claiming he’s happy to stay, unless he signs a new contract i can still see a move for him this summer.

Tottenham have been strongly linked, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Rafa van der Vaart, while Arsenal’s style of play would also suit him well and they need reinforcements in the middle of the park.

With Chelsea having already brought in Marin and Hazard, it’s difficult to see Dembele getting a first team spot and the same could be said at United. So if he does leave, a move to North London could be on the cards for the Belgian.

Would you like to see Dembele at your club? Get involved in the comments section.