Fulham faced strong interest from Al Hilal for Aleksandar Mitrovic but Marco Silva has declared the forward is ready to face Everton

Fulham manager Marco Silva is adamant that star forward Aleksandar Mitrovic is ready for their trip to Everton this weekend.

The Serbian talisman has been subject to interest from Saudi Arabia during the transfer window, the Cottagers have been forced to reject a £25m from Al Hilal in July.

Concerns were raised as to whether the forward would feature, following his standout displays in the Premier League last season which saw Fulham finish in a respectable 10th, in their first campaign back. It had been suggested that the 28-year-old was left furious after an approach from the Saudi Pro League side was rejected.

However, it appears that Mitrovic will not be joining the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Ruben Neves, N’Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly who all made moves to the Kingdom this summer. Silva was also subject to interest over a managerial position in the Pro League but he revealed he was not close to leaving.

But the Portuguese tactician has allayed fears that Mitrovic will not continue his stay in the capital. Silva says the striker has been reintegrated into the squad and is ready as he looks to play a match-winning role in the former Everton boss’ return to Goodison Park.

“He is ready to play. Since he started to work with his teammates again, on the pitch again, he’s been the Mitrovic that I know,” he began. I will not hide from you that one offer that he received made him think.

“It was a situation where he had a clear offer from a club, a very good offer for him, and sometimes it’s not easy for [a player] to keep focus, even if you want them to keep focus.”

For the Blues, they will be hoping that Youssef Chermiti can be registered in time for their showdown with Fulham on Merseyside (Saturday, 3pm). Everton manager Sean Dyche revealed that the 19-year-old Sporting CP forward was close to becoming his third signing of the summer.