Sunderland’s apparent interest in Fulham winger Harry Wilson has been repeatedly reported in recent weeks.
With the Wales international rapidly approaching the end of his contract at Craven Cottage, and with the possibility of an exit on a free transfer looming ever larger, the Black Cats are one of several Premier League sides – alongside the likes of Leeds United, Everton, and Crystal Palace – to have been linked with the attacker of late.
To that end, various outlets have suggested that Wilson’s departure is an ever-increasing likelihood, but while contract talks have reportedly been put on hold for now, at this stage, there are still no concrete indications on whether or not he will leave Fulham this summer.
And as uncertainty lingers, it is perhaps worth heeding a recent update from BBC Sport, who claimed a fortnight ago that the 28-year-old “would prefer to have clarity on the future of head coach Marco Silva, who is also out of contract in the summer, before making a final decision over any new deal” – especially following fresh claims from Cottagers chief Tony Khan.
What has been said about Marco Silva’s Fulham future?
Speaking to talkSPORT, Khan – who serves as Fulham’s vice-chairman and director of football operations – hinted that he is hopeful a deal to extend Silva’s stay in West London will soon be agreed.
He said: “I think we have a great squad and a great manager. We have Marco Silva, who’s done a fantastic job coaching this team, and I love working with Marco. This squad is doing incredibly well. I have a great relationship with Marco. I love working with Marco and I absolutely want Marco to be here for a long time. I think he will be, and I believe that.
“We’ve had a lot to do, and we’ve just had a great recent signing that we spent a lot of time on… we’re all very aligned as a club, working together. I absolutely believe the way we’re all working together and the way we all enjoy it. In Marco’s own words, I think there’s great chemistry and everyone is very aligned working together here at Fulham.”
Whether Silva decides to stay or not remains to be seen, as does the extent to which his future will come to impact Wilson’s, but if BBC Sport are accurate, and if Khan’s hopes of an extension come to fruition, then the wide man’s anticipated exit may yet be thrown into doubt.
What has Fulham winger Harry Wilson said about his contract situation amid Sunderland transfer links?
Speaking to Sky Sports in December, Wilson suggested that any decision on his future has to benefit both him and his loved ones. When asked if he could provide an update on his contract negotiations with Fulham, he said: “Yeah, not a lot really. I’m fully focused on playing. I play football because I love the game and wherever I am, it’s got to be somewhere where I’m going to play. That’s what I played for before, that’s what I love doing. If we [Wales] get to the World Cup, I want to be in the best shape going into that. I think what’s going to put me in the best position is somewhere where I’m playing, getting the minutes, playing well.
“Hopefully scoring and assisting, I’ve been able to do that the last couple of months and then whatever happens after that happens. Fulham is somewhere I wanted somewhere to call home. For the last four-and-a-half years, it’s somewhere I’ve been really, really happy here.
“I feel like we’ve had some amazing times together, we’ve won the Championship, we’ve had three solid years in the Premier League and I’m hoping this will be another one. But this next contract has got to be right for me and my family. So yeah, we’ll see what happens.”
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