Jerome Opoku, the Ghana-born centre-back who came through Fulham’s academy but never made a first-team appearance, is again attracting strong interest from the Premier League, Footy-Africa can exclusively confirm.
After revitalising his career with Arouca in Portugal, Opoku has become a defensive mainstay for İstanbul Başakşehir in Turkey, prompting his former club Fulham to circle back.
According to reports, Fulham are preparing a January move for the 27‑year-old, seeing him as a cost‑effective way to stabilize a defence that has struggled so far this season. But they are not alone, Nottingham Forest are also preparing formal contact, with manager Sean Dyche apparently raising Opoku’s name with the board as a primary defensive target.
Premier League clubs circle Jerome Opoku as Burnley and Leeds step up interest
In a Footy-Africa exclusive interview, a source close to the player’s agency, Aquarius, made the confirmation of interest:
“Jerome is flattered by Fulham’s interest. Returning to Craven Cottage would be a dream, he’s a boyhood kid. But Forest’s overtures have been serious too: discussions are already underway with Başakşehir, and Sean Dyche personally pushed for him on the transfer committee. It’s not just talk, both clubs are preparing proposals.”
With his Basaksehir contract running until 2027, any deal will need to be carefully negotiated, but Opoku clearly has options, and the Premier League could well be calling him home.
🇬🇭 Gana Milli Takımı ile 2026 Dünya Kupası’na katılmaya hak kazanan futbolcumuz Jerome Opoku’yu tebrik ederiz. 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/VAV5DC5npo
— RAMS Başakşehir (@ibfk2014) October 13, 2025
The 27-year-old has made 14 appearances this season for Istanbul Başakşehir, and 93 since joining the team two seasons back. Internationally, the defender has accumulated nine caps for Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars.
