Fulham boss Marco Silva has fuelled rumours he could quit the club as they prepare for their Premier League opener against Brighton on Saturday.
The Cottagers will be hoping to push for a place in the top 10 this term, having finished 11th last season.
Silva has worked wonders at Fulham ever since his appointment back in 2021, when he replaced Scott Parker.
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However, they've struggled with recruitment this summer - with goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte their sole arrival.
Fulham boss Marco Silva has fuelled rumours he could quit the club as they prepare for their Premier League opener against Brighton on Saturday
|GETTY
Recently, reports suggested that Silva was 'frustrated' with Fulham's slow approach to new signings.
It was even suggested that the Portuguese, who previously turned down offers to manage in Saudi Arabia, could walk away from the club come next summer when his contract is due to expire.
And Silva has now fuelled speculation that this could be his final campaign in charge at Craven Cottage, with the 48-year-old admitting Fulham have been far too 'passive'.
"It's not an ideal scenario," said the former Watford and Everton manager.
"I didn't expect us to be this passive. I knew what I wanted and the plan was there but it hasn't happened.
"Right now we need to reinforce. In some positions we are very short.
"Did I expect it? Of course not, but the market is the market."
One player linked with Fulham in recent hours is Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund.
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Benjamin Lecomte is Fulham's only signing of the summer transfer window so far
|PA
The Red Devils expected big things from the Denmark international when they signed him from Serie A side Atalanta back in the summer of 2023.
Yet Hojlund has struggled during his time in English football, with the forward scoring just 14 Premier League goals.
Silva is looking forward to Saturday's clash with Brighton, meanwhile, admitting they'll be a tough test for his team.
"[We've had] some great games with them," he said.
“It’s a place where normally our fanbase is there in a great number.
"We like to feel that challenge ahead of us, with our fans behind us, even if we are playing away from home.
“They are very demanding games, they demand this from any team that goes there to play against them, because they are a very good side.
“We are going to be ready for it, for the demands of the game, and our ambition is to go and to play at our best level, because the game is going to demand that.
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Fulham boss Marco Silva is currently preparing for Saturday's Premier League opener against Brighton
|PA
“You have to be very careful in all the moments of the game to take the best from ourselves, to try to win the game.
“When you play against Brighton, you expect always a team who is a threat in the front line, always with technical players, very good players, and very creative midfielders as well.
“And, of course, a backline in some positions with enough experience and maturity in the Premier League to be a very, a very tough day for us.
"But we are going to do our maximum to make it very difficult for them, too.”