In his pre-match press conference ahead of Friday’s FA Cup clash against Everton, Fulham manager Martin Jol was again discussing transfer rumours. He ruled out the sale of strikers Zamora and Johnson who have been attracting interest from elsewhere, and you can see why after their scintillating link-up play in the second half of the 5-2 win over Newcastle last weekend. However, in regard to in-form Clint Dempsey, Jol stated:

“It (the transfer window) is quiet. We want to keep our best players,”

“We are not encouraging bids. Clint is one of our most productive players.

“Dempsey makes a difference, and hopefully that will be the case again (against Everton). But we have many options.

This would suggest although Jol isn’t actively looking to sell the American, he might consider a huge bid if it was put on the table. Dempsey himself has stated that he would be interested in a move to secure Champions League football and now that he’s 28 he’ll have to make the move sooner rather than later if he is to accomplish his dream. He is already the USA’s most successful Premier League import in my eyes and a move for Champions League football would solidify him in the position of his country’s all time great players.

With only 18 months left on his contract Fulham must be keen to offer Dempsey a new deal, along with Moussa Dembele who is in a similar contractual situation with just a year and a half left on his current contract.

For me, the best business the club can do this January is hold onto it’s best players and tie this duo to new long-term deals at Fulham. That surely would be preferable to selling them and buying players who have limited experience at this level and will take time to adapt to the side and the Premier League. However, if we’re talking massive money here and it is to be reinvested in players, then perhaps Jol will be tempted to sell in order to build his own side. Especially if Clint is getting itchy feet.