Fulham Stand Firm as Serie A Club Pursue Brazilian Striker | OneFootball

Fulham Stand Firm Over Rodrigo Muniz Amid Atalanta Interest

Atalanta’s pursuit of Rodrigo Muniz looks set to be met with resistance as Fulham remain determined to keep the Brazilian forward at Craven Cottage. According to Sky Sports, the Serie A club are keen to bring the striker to Italy, but Fulham’s stance is clear.

“However, Fulham do not want to sell the striker. He is considered a key part of Marco Silva’s plans,” Sky Sports reported. Muniz, 23, enjoyed a breakthrough Premier League campaign last season, showing the kind of finishing ability and work rate that Silva values highly.

Player Open to Move but Club Unmoved

The report suggests that while Muniz is open to “exploring a move to Atalanta,” his club see him as integral to their plans. Leeds United have also been linked with the player, but Fulham’s resolve appears strong. Selling to a domestic rival would be a risk, and allowing him to leave abroad could weaken Silva’s attacking options at a time when the manager is aiming to strengthen his squad.

Photo: IMAGO

Sources indicate Fulham are still active in the market for two wingers, as well as possibly another striker and a No.8-type midfielder. However, those plans seem to be about supplementing the current squad rather than replacing key figures.

Strategic Importance to Silva’s System

Muniz’s impact has gone beyond goals. His movement, pressing, and link-up play have been crucial in Fulham’s ability to compete against top-flight opposition. Silva’s tactical approach often relies on a focal point who can occupy defenders and create space for wide players, and Muniz fits that role perfectly.

Allowing him to leave now would mean reshaping a system that has been steadily improving. Atalanta’s interest, while flattering, comes at a point where Fulham are building momentum and consistency in attack. A forward with Muniz’s profile is not easy to replace, especially in the closing weeks of the transfer window.

Balancing Ambition and Stability

For Fulham, the challenge is balancing ambition in the transfer market with the stability needed to push up the Premier League table. While the temptation to cash in on a player attracting international attention is always present, Silva’s insistence on retaining Muniz speaks to the long-term vision.

Photo: IMAGO

With a tough season ahead and the need for squad depth across multiple competitions, keeping their number nine could be just as important as making any new signings. Muniz’s development under Silva has been a success story, and Fulham will hope that continuity in attack can help them improve on last season’s league finish.

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For Fulham, holding on to Rodrigo Muniz feels like the right call. His progress over the past year has been one of the most encouraging aspects of Marco Silva’s tenure. The Brazilian’s work ethic, combined with his improved finishing, makes him a player worth building around rather than selling.

While the lure of Serie A football with Atalanta might be appealing to Muniz personally, supporters will see this as a crucial moment for the club to show ambition. Selling your in-form striker after such a promising campaign can easily derail momentum, especially when other attacking options may still need time to adapt.

Fans will also appreciate Silva’s public stance. It shows the manager has faith in his core players and understands the value of keeping the dressing room stable. If Fulham can keep Muniz while adding the wingers and midfield depth they are targeting, there is every reason to believe they can push for a top-half finish.