(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
By Adam Ellis
Slavisa Jokanovic will have to turn his attentions elsewhere after a move for Montpellier forward Steve Mounie fell short of the French club's valuation.
The Cottagers had a bid turned down last week and are now set to be beaten to the 22-year-old's signature by Premier League Watford or West Brom, who have joined the race for the £13million-rated target man in recent days.
Mounie impressed Ligue 1 audiences this season by netting 15 goals in 37 appearances, while turning provider on three occasions, and is seen by Jokanovic as one of multiple strikers required for Fulham's promotion push next season.
Jokanovic opted for on-loan striker Chris Martin in the first-leg tie against Reading in the Championship play-off semi finals, before finding himself short of options in the second leg and shifting Neeskens Kebano to lead the attack.
Eager to recruit after scoring only one goal in those two legs against victors Reading, Fulham currently have Cauley Woodrow as the only recognised out-and-out striker at Craven Cottage.
And in Mounie, who won more aerial duels than any other Ligue 1 player, Fulham would have the ideal replacement for Matt Smith who joined QPR in January for £1million.
With West Brom leading the race, Fulham have work to do to rescue their bid for the Benin international or else pursue other targets.