Published Aug 18, 2026, 5:05 PM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years, specialising in transfer analysis, Premier League reporting and the business of football.
 

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to begin his journalism career at Snack Media, now Valnet.
 

Emilio has a particular interest in football finance, recruitment and the business behind the modern game. In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

The Spaniard arrived at Craven Cottage after Marco Silva ended a successful five-year reign to take charge of Benfica.

Silva had established Fulham as a solid mid-table club who regularly vyed for Europe, despite having to make do with a far inferior budget compared to the big boys, so replacing him was always going to mean more than simply changing the man in the dugout.

The Whites must also ensure that Arbeloa is backed to the hilt ahead of his debut Premier League season as a manager.

Jonah Kusi-Asare was the first senior arrival after Fulham converted the young striker's loan from Bayern Munich into a permanent transfer.

The biggest statement followed in early August, when Gonzalo García and César Palacios arrived from Real Madrid.

García cost around £34 million and gives Fulham another option through the middle after Raúl Jiménez left at the end of his contract.

Palacios joined for roughly £8.5 million and offers versatility in attacking midfield, with both players already familiar with Arbeloa from their time in Madrid.

Fulham then committed another major fee to lure Shea Charles to west London.

The Northern Ireland international joined from Southampton in a package worth up to £30 million, adding height, energy and defensive discipline to a midfield that lost Sasa Lukic.

However, there have also been important departures.

Harry Wilson followed Jiménez through the exit door, while Issa Diop joined Sasa Lukic at Ipswich in July.

Diop's sale left Arbeloa with Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey and Jorge Cuenca as his recognised senior centre backs, making another defensive addition a clear priority before the deadline.

Fulham chase Natan and Ait Boudlal double deal with Arbeloa offered Balerdi

Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna has now reported that Fulham have submitted an offer for Real Betis defender Natan.

The 25-year-old Brazilian would provide a natural left-footed option and arrives with experience of football in Brazil, Italy and Spain. Betis signed Natan permanently from Napoli last year and tied him down until 2030.

He helped Betis reach the 2025 Conference League final and made UEFA's team of the season, while Aouna also says Fulham are still speaking to Rennes about Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.

An earlier £20 million approach for the Moroccan was reportedly rejected, but discussions have not ended.

Leonardo Balerdi is the third name in the picture.

Aouna reports that Unique Sports has put the Marseille captain forward to Fulham and is working to create a formal proposal.

The Argentina international is 27, under contract until 2028 and would offer greater experience than Aït Boudlal.

Fulham are clearly considering different profiles, but their reported bid suggests Natan has moved firmly into contention as Arbeloa looks to finish his defensive rebuild before the Premier League season gets under way at Craven Cottage.