Fulham News Latest: After rejecting their initial offer of £17m weeks ago, the Saudi club have offered Marco Silva a new mouthwatering deal
Fulham manager Marco Silva has been presented with a tempting opportunity from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli. The Middle Eastern club has offered the Portuguese tactician a lucrative two-year deal worth a staggering £40 million in a bid to secure his services. The prospective transfer follows Silva’s outstanding performance with Fulham last season, which helped them reach a commendable 10th place in the Premier League standings.
According to Sky Sports, Silva’s agents are now in London meeting with Al-Ahli representatives. The offer arrives as the 2023–2024 Premier League season approaches, which is a crucial period for Fulham. The club is keen to keep their esteemed manager for at least another season, but Marco Silva will ultimately make the call.
As part of Fulham’s preseason tour, the 46-year-old manager is presently in the United States, where he will weigh his alternatives and choose the best course for his future. With one year left on his current contract with Fulham, Silva’s departure would come at a cost. Al-Ahli will need to activate his £6 million release clause if they wish to bring him to the Middle East and away from the English top-flight.
Silva’s narrative of success at Fulham is incredible, especially when you consider the difficult situation the club was in when they rehired him in 2021. However, the Portuguese manager led the group to promotion in his debut year in control, helping them defeat Bournemouth to claim the Championship title. His managerial standing has increased, making him a sought-after candidate at teams all around the world.
Marco Silva would be the first Premier League manager to move to the Saudi Pro League if he decides to accept the offer from Al-Ahli. The trend of elite football players and managers exploring possibilities in the Middle East is continuing to rise as a result of this migration. Names like N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo have already arrived in the area; Ronaldo has joined Al-Nassr, while Benzema and Kante have joined Al-Ittihad.
Furthermore, the Saudi Pro League is still on the prowl for elite players. Jota, Edouard Mendy, and Roberto Firmino, among others, have all joined Al-Ahli, while Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic have joined Al-Nassr. Another Saudi Arabian powerhouse, Al Hilal, has signed high-profile players like Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
While Fulham supporters will wish to keep their beloved manager, Silva’s choice may be influenced by the pull of a fresh challenge in Saudi Arabia and the generous cash offer. There’s no denying that Marco Silva has the potential to rank among the top football managers in the world because of his extraordinary management abilities and personal touch, which have won over many fans.
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