Parker: Fulham have learned from past transfer mistakes

Scott Parker insists Fulham have learned the lessons of a disastrous 2019 Premier League campaign when they spent £110m and still got relegated.

Close to £25m alone was spent bringing Maxime Le Marchand and Jean-Michael Seri from Nice.

One is on the periphery of the squad, and Seri didn’t even make the 25-man Premier League cut following his loan with Galatasaray last season.

It’s therefore no shock the club has spent a tenth of that this time, while bringing in six loans.

The logic is that younger bargain players will be developed regardless of the division Fulham are in next season – and the loans will return to their parent clubs if the worst happens.

“We brought in good quality in the Reeds, Tosins, Antonee Robinsons; and on the flip side the loan players give you that extra bit in this league,” the head coach said.

“If we weren’t to stay in this division, players would leave. We’ve been very diligent in this matter.

“There was a plan behind it; the money wasn’t there to spend like it was last time.

“So, we got good value for players we can develop while using the loan market.

“We want to stay in this division, but we’re also thinking about the long-term future and what’s best for the club.”

Meanwhile, defender Terence Kongolo faces a continued spell on the sidelines.