The manager of Fulham has officially signed a magnificent 22-year-old ace, and the decision was made before the new year.

Fulham view Gift Orban as Aleksandar Mitrovic successor

Fulham are keen on signing Gift Orban ahead of the January window as Marco Silva continues to search for an Aleksandar Mitrovic replacement.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Gift Orban has emerged as a target for Fulham, who are still looking to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic. Marco Silva has suffered without the Serb, who left for Saudi Arabia and is now eyeing the Gent man to solve the forward issues.

Marco Silva and Fulham fought off Saudi Arabia’s interest in their star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic before caving into the pressure. The Serbian forward desperately wanted to move, and their contract offer really did have a big effect on his thinking.

Considering the lateness of the deal and the lack of quality options available in the market, Silva only managed to bring Raul Jimenez from Wolves. The Mexican striker is yet to open his Premier League account with the Cottagers, which has called for Fulham to sign another striker.

Silva, incidentally, had interest in another Wolves star, Sasa Kalajdzic. But the Midlands club did not want to sell two of their strikers to their mid-table rivals. Other names like Divock Origi also came into the picture, but the Belgian eventually signed with Nottingham Forest.

Now, with the January window approaching, Silva would certainly want a new striker. And Fulham have Gent star Gift Orban on his list. How the Nigerian did not move clubs during the summer remains the question, but the Belgian side were careful with approaches.

After the window shut, there were many revelations, including Manchester United’s interest in Orban, as Erik ten Hag may have wanted another forward over Rasmus Hojlund. There were other clubs in the mix, too, with Tottenham being one of those.

Tottenham and Barcelona are still interested in the forward, and if they can find a suitable financial agreement, a move could materialise. Spurs are looking for an additional forward, with Ange Postecoglou also wanting Jota, his former player at Celtic.

As for Orban, Gent will demand at least €30 million, which would represent a solid profit over their investment in the Nigerian. If they are to get that sort of a fee for the player, then they will ten-fold their investment.

Fulham are certainly in a position to pay a decent fee, if not €30 million. Orban will have the choice of clubs on his table. But he must make his decision wisely, considering all aspects, including regular playing time.