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The National Times - Silva commits to Fulham after reported Saudi offer

Silva commits to Fulham after reported Saudi offer

SPORTS 23.07.2023
Silva commits to Fulham after reported Saudi offer
Silva commits to Fulham after reported Saudi offer / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Fulham manager Marco Silva said Sunday he was "fully committed" to the club after turning down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.

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Reports in Britain said the Portuguese manager had been offered a two-year deal worth £40 million ($51 million) as Saudi's Pro League continues its lucrative recruitment drive.

However speaking ahead of Fulham's pre-season friendly with Brentford in Philadelphia on Sunday, Silva confirmed he was staying with the west London Premier League club.

"My commitment to this club has been 100 percent since the first day I signed and it will continue this way," Silva told NBC Sports.

"It was a decision that I made. I spoke with the people in the club and like I was before last season, and two seasons ago, I'm fully committed to the club and will continue this way.

"Offers are part of the business...it's up to us to think, always respecting the club that you are working for. It's what I have done always in my career and I will keep doing."

Silva, 46, joined Fulham in 2021, leading them to promotion to the Premier League from the Championship in his first season before guiding them to 10th in the top-flight last term.

Al-Ahli have signed Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City, Liverpool's Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy from Chelsea in recent months.

The signings are part of a broader hiring spree by the Pro League, which is backed by the country's sovereign wealth fund.

Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Saudi club Al Nassr earlier this year while other stars heading to the Pro League include Karim Benzema and French World Cup winner N'Golo Kante.

Silva meanwhile was left satisfied on Sunday after watching Fulham complete a 3-2 win over Brentford in their pre-season game, part of the Premier League Summer Series.

Goals from Harry Wilson, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Carlos Vinicius secured victory with Yoane Wissa and Kristoffer Ajer scoring for Brentford.

K.M.Thompson--TNT

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