On-loan hitman desperate to win permanent Fulham contract
Published:Having found the net in each of his opening two Premier League appearances, it may surprise some to see Pavel Pogrebnyak at a tempting 9/2 to score first against Wolves on Sunday.
The Russian international has made a blistering start to his Fulham career, depicting an ice cool figure in front of goal, with two extremely assured finishes instantly endearing him to the London club’s fans.
Now, after revealing he can utilise his natural goalscoring instincts in a league as competitive as the English Premier League, the 28-year-old striker is hopeful of convincing Fulham boss Martin Jol tying him down to a permanent deal once his six-month loan spell has expired.
His parent club Stuttgart were reportedly willing to do business on a permanent basis this January, though Fulham were keen to show caution and discover whether or not the powerful forward could adapt to the English game on an initial trial basis.
Pogrebnyak told Russia’s Sports Daily: “I wanted to sign a long-term contract. The club wanted to see how I would adapt in the Premier League, because the German and English championships are very different. The management wanted to play it safe.”
With his Stuttgart contract set to expire in the summer, there seems little doubt that Fulham would hesitate in offering Pogrebnyak a permanent deal, particularly if he can continue in a similar vein of form to which he has started his career at the club in.
A permanent Craven Cottage switch is believed to be his preferred move, despite mooted interest from the likes of Champions League Napoli, and Pogrebnyak has even set his sights on silverware with Fulham, saying: “I think I can win something with Fulham. We have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, and in England there are a lot of cups.”
He can set about winning the contract he so desperately craves by notching at any time against Wolves at 6/5 against Wolves.
