Transfer News: Fulham snatch Chelsea target Jean-Michel Seri

In a stunning turn of events, promoted side Fulham have stolen OGC Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri from potential suitors Chelsea and Arsenal.

Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri visited London over the weekend, ramping up speculation that he would move to a London club for the upcoming season. The Ivorian was targeted by Barcelona last summer, and Chelsea, Arsenal, and even West Ham have been linked to him in the past few days.

But according to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, it is recently promoted Fulham who will scoop up the 26-year old, as they look to bolster the roster that won the Championship promotion playoff.

What Seri adds?

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Seri adds to a midfield that already includes the experienced trio of Kevin McDonald, Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen. The Ivorian has done it all for Nice since joining the French side in 2015, scoring 12 and assisting 23 in 103 appearances.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is looking to continue adding to his ranks, with Fulham also linked to Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Mitrovic on loan, helped Fulham gain promotion  last season, scoring 12 goals in just half a season at Craven Cottage. Fulham are reportedly confident that they will sign their man, and all signs point to Mitrovic’s signing sooner rather than later.

Seri is an unusually high-profile signing for a newly promoted club, but Fulham have stiff competition this season to stay in the Premier League. Wolverhampton, with their legion of Jorge Mendes clients, may be one of the best promoted sides ever. Their roster looks poised to make a run at the top half of the table, and new addition Rui Patricio only adds to that. Fulham seem to be doing what they can just to keep up.

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Seri should cement his place in the starting XI at Fulham quickly, and with talent around him like young phenomenon, Ryan Sessegnon and Mitrovic possibly returning up front, he will have no shortage of targets. With Seri joining, Fulham looks like a strong side. Maybe one strong enough to beat the drop, if they do manage to get their man in Mitrovic.

For Fulham’s London rivals, Seri’s signing is a setback, but one that can be overcome. Chelsea are linked to Napoli’s Jorginho, but will have to beat Manchester City out for his signature.