Five Aleksandar Mitrovic alternatives Fulham must consider amid Raul Jimenez speculation

Aleksandar Mitrovic appears to be heading for a somewhat acrimonious exit from Fulham as Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli look to press home their interest in the Serbian frontman.

The move, it should be said, would surely come with a tinge of regret after both club and striker have enjoyed a fruitful relationship that has reinvigorated their fortunes. For Mitrovic, Craven Cottage provided him with a launchpad following an underwhelming spell at Newcastle United as he struggled to earn the trust of former Magpies manager Rafa Benitez.

For Fulham, they have benefited from the talents of a wholehearted and prolific centre-forward, reaping the rewards with 111 goals and 22 assists in 205 appearances as Mitrovic’s form inspired them to promotion into the Premier League and a mid-table finish in their first season back in the top tier.

So, what next? A deal for Wolves striker Raul Jimenez is seemingly imminent, but there are reasons to believe that he may not be the only attacking acquisition that the Cottagers make this summer. For one thing, Marco Silva’s side should have upwards of £40 million burning a hole in their pocket soon enough, and the Mexican star is only expected to cost around £5.5 million. For another, he has struggled to rekindle the form that made him such a hit at Wolves in recent times, and there is a feeling that were Fulham to sign him and him alone, it would be something of a downgrade.

But where could the Cottagers turn in their quest to replace Mitrovic? We’ve taken a look at a number of options below...

El Bilal Toure

The Mali international has proven his ability in a top league after joining La Liga club Almeria from French side Reims in September last year. The 21-year-old has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 22 appearances, and those stats would have been even more impressive had a muscle injury not limited his impact in the second half of the season. Despite that blow, Toure has still attracted interest from a number of clubs around Europe, and Atalanta and Everton are both said to be monitoring his progress, with the latter believed to be in advanced talks.

Folarin Balogun

This one would be ambitious but there is no doubt Balogun is ready to prove himself in the Premier League after he produced a stunning return during a season-long loan spell at Reims. After replacing the aforementioned Toure, the Arsenal striker scored 22 goals and provided three assists in just 39 appearances for the Ligue 1 club and has been linked with a permanent departure from the Emirates Stadium. It would be a costly move but it is one that could work for both parties.

Kevin Volland

A more experienced option and one that would perhaps provide Fulham with a more rounded striker, rather than the out-and-out goalscorer Mitrovic has been. The 30-year-old Germany international has 63 goal involvements in 115 appearances for Monaco since he joined the Ligue 1 club in a £9million move from Bayer Leverkusen just under three years ago. Now entering the final year of his current deal, Volland could prove a cost-effective option for Silva.

Luka Jovic

Could Fulham replace one Serbian international striker with another? It seems remarkable to think Jovic is still only 25-year-old given the hype that has surrounded him for a number of years. An underwhelming spell with Spanish giants Real Madrid may well have limited talk of Jovic’s ability, but 13 goals and five assists showed some signs of the unquestionable talent he possesses.

Habib Diallo

Diallo has been linked with Sheffield United and Chelsea in recent years after impressing in the colours of French club Strasbourg. The Senegal international is rapidly approaching a half-century of goals for the French outfit and has captured the attention of a number of clubs around Europe. Premier League trio West Ham United, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford have also been touted as potential suitors, with the latter believed to have made a bid of around £13 million for the striker. Strasbourg are said to want a fee nearer the £20 million mark.