Fulham’s £34.6m capture of Kevin is already under the microscope. The Shakhtar Donetsk winger, who arrived at Craven Cottage in a club-record deal, is being accused in Portugal of leveraging Sporting CP’s last-minute interest to extract bigger money from Marco Silva’s side.
According to Record journalist Rui Malheiro, Sporting’s failed attempt to hijack the move did little more than strengthen Kevin’s hand at the negotiating table. The result? Fulham agreed to higher fees than first expected — locking themselves into a five-year deal, plus an option for a sixth, on Premier League wages.
The 22-year-old arrives with a growing reputation after 17 goals in 57 games for Shakhtar. But in west London the narrative has already shifted: is Kevin Fulham’s next star wide man, or just an expensive gamble forced up by agent tactics?
Malheiro’s Take on the Transfer
“Sporting’s last-minute move was thwarted. Betting on Kevin, who was on his way to Fulham, was a bold move… however, the move only served to allow the player and his agent to secure higher fees than expected from Fulham.” — Rui Malheiro, Record
Malheiro’s assessment cuts deep. For Sporting, it was another failure in a summer that saw them miss out on Jota Silva as well. For Fulham, it raises the stakes around a player who must now justify not just the price tag, but the politics behind it.
Why Fulham Paid the Price
Fulham needed attacking thrust after a flat 2024/25 campaign. Kevin’s pace, direct dribbling and end product ticked every box for Silva. Sporting could offer Champions League football, but not Premier League wages — and once Lisbon entered the race, Fulham were forced to push their offer higher to close the deal.
The club’s hierarchy see Kevin as a long-term cornerstone, but supporters will be unforgiving if he starts slowly. After all, Fulham have history with big-money flops.
Kevin’s Record So Far
| Stat (2024/25) | Kevin |
|---|---|
| Appearances | — |
| Goals | — |
| Assists | — |
| Pass Accuracy | –% |
source: sofascore match data – 6 September 2025
Seventeen goals in Ukraine showed end product, but the Premier League brings different questions — can Kevin do it under pressure, against better defences, with a price tag on his back?
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William:
Fulham paid over the odds, no question. But the market dictated it. The real debate isn’t whether Kevin is talented — he is — but whether Silva can build a system where his pace and directness hurt top-half Premier League sides.
If Fulham give him space to attack from wide areas, he could be the difference in games against direct rivals. If not, he risks becoming another expensive luxury.
Key Insights
- Kevin signed for £34.6m — Fulham’s record fee.
- Sporting’s late bid reportedly drove up wages and terms.
- The winger scored 17 in 57 for Shakhtar Donetsk.
- Five-year deal + option for sixth keeps Fulham in control.
- Huge pressure to deliver instantly in the Premier League.
What’s Next
Kevin is expected to make his debut against Brighton next week. Silva is keen to unleash him quickly, though competition for wide spots is fierce.
Elsewhere, Sporting’s failure may have long-term impact — with agents now well aware the Lisbon club can raise prices across the market, even if they don’t land the player.
Will Kevin prove Fulham’s game-changer, or just the latest record signing weighed down by his own fee?
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