Opinion: Why Fulham should resist temptation to make summer transfer approach for 24-year-old

Championship outfit Fulham are interested in a move for Bolton Wanderers wide man Dapo Afolayan, as per a report from The Bolton News.

The 24-year-old has endured an impressive season in the third tier after making his loan move from West Ham United a longer-term agreement, scoring 12 goals and recording six assists in 42 league appearances as a regular goal contributor for the Trotters.

What makes this record more impressive is the fact Ian Evatt’s men look destined for a mid-table finish, so to register this number of goal contributions as a winger in a side that aren’t pushing for promotion is certainly not to be sniffed at.

This is why the Cottagers are justified to take an interest in the ex-Hammer because his form in League One has been nothing short of superb and although he’s a little older, he could easily become the next Brennan Johnson who impressed in the third tier last term before taking the step up this term.

Johnson’s success with Nottingham Forest this season has been well-documented and he could take a further step up to the Premier League this summer, with or without his current side with Brentford thought to have submitted a sizeable bid for his services back in January.

This could be a warning to Marco Silva’s side not to turn their nose up at Afolayan this summer just because of the division he plies his trade in – but they should resist any move now with top-tier experience needing to be the priority when recruiting players in the coming months.

They have come too far this season with their dominance of the second tier and their formidable attacking record to be relegated straight back down to the Championship again at the end of next season.

To give themselves the very best chance of remaining