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(Caption: Imago)
Jack Heath
Fri 8 August 2025 20:30, UK
Rodrigo Muniz is a wanted man this summer but data offers Fulham some enticing alternatives if they let him go.
After sharing the minutes with striker Raul Jimenez last season, the Brazilian must be considering leaving south London to become the number one striker elsewhere.
The 24-year-old has been of key interest of a variety of clubs including Newcastle and most recently Atalanta, with Fulham rejecting any approaches for their frontman (Sky Sports Italia).
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 10 June that Leeds were readying a bid for Muniz as they look to strengthen their attack to fight for survival.
Could Muniz be on his way to Elland Road this summer?
(Credit Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Given the intense interest in the forward and the money the Cottagers could get by selling him, Football Insider has looked at data from FBRef and suggested three alternatives to replace him with.
Following a torrid first season on Merseyside, the Guinea-Bissau international has found his feet and flourished towards the back end of last campaign.
The number nine notched eight goals in the Premier League, matching Muniz’s tally, as David Moyes’ arrival was a major influence in the ex-Udinese forward’s purple patch.
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His xG of 8.2 also reflected that Beto often took the chances he received, utilising his body to protect the ball frequently from balls played in behind.
His style of play mirrors the Brazilian and would be a solid like-for-like replacement for Marco Silva.
Beto scored against the Cottagers last season
Moreover, with the arrival of young prodigy Thierno Barry from Villareal, the African will be concerned over his long-term spot in the side.
A move to south London could be an intriguing option for the 27-year-old who looks to continue his brilliant end to last year’s campaign.
It’s understandable that alarm bells might be ringing when you see that the Croatian is 34-years-old but hear me out first.
The ex-Mallorca frontman has had a long-lived career which has seen him play in Spain, Italy and Germany.
Yet, in the 2024-25 campaign, the number 17 hit his best career numbers, banging in 21 goals in La Liga as Osasuna finished ninth in the table.
The benefits to signing the Croatia international is his availability having made 34 starts in 38 appearances in the Spanish top-flight last time out.
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Muniz has been hampered with niggling injuries during his time at Craven Cottage, so bringing in the former Sampdoria forward would be an intelligent footballing move.
Budimir also averaged 0.43 goal creating actions per-90, vastly surpassing the Brazilian’s 0.19, demonstrating his all-round credits as a number nine.
A consistent goal scorer in both the first and second division of Germany, the 29-year-old is not being talked about enough this transfer window.
Appearances (starts)MinutesGoalsAssistsProgressive carries31 (31)2,73716745Tim Kleindienst in the Bundesliga 2024-25
Presumably, his name has been on the down-low due to his current injury, which he picked up back in May.
However, prior to his absence the Gladbach striker was banging the goals in for fun, scoring 16 goals in the Bundesliga.
Yet, the six-foot-four man offers so much more than goals, his creativity and care with the ball is superb, notching seven assists in the league.
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His 1.48 per-90 progressive carries are higher than Muniz’s (0.56) with the Germany international also topping the quartet in this category.
Given the nature of Silva’s brand of football with fast turnovers, Kleindienst would be a natural number nine to quickly transition Fulham up the pitch.
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