Cherreads

Chapter 4 - The Fulham Fans Are Crying In Joy 2

The next morning, as the sun rose over London, all eyes were on Fulham's official website.

It wasn't just Fulham fans eagerly refreshing the page every few seconds—no, the rivals were watching too, ready to see if Henry Baskerville would pull off yet another transfer masterstroke.

Henry, the modern-day Bruce Wayne of the football world, was out here playing manager in his own personal FIFA universe. Could he really top the previous signings?

Spoiler: he didn't disappoint.

***

Next day, At exactly 1:00 PM, the club website crashed due to overload. Again.

OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Rúben Dias from Manchester City for €78M.

Mayhem.

Absolute digital pandemonium.

Rúben Dias.The defensive titan. Manchester City's rock at the back. Pep Guardiola's general, now ready to anchor Fulham's defence. Nobody thought this was even possible.

Fans and pundits alike were left picking their jaws off the floor. Not just any centre-back, but one of the best in the business, joining a mid-bottom table Premier League team like Fulham? This was the stuff of dreams… or perhaps nightmares for the other Premier League teams.

@DefensiveDreams:

"Dias at the back? Fulham's defence just became Fort Knox. 🔒 No one is getting through now. Not on our watch."

@CitySideEyed:

"City's loss = our gain. I'll sleep well knowing Dias wears white. 😴 Honestly, I can't believe we let him go. Fulham fans, y'all just hit the jackpot."

@BacklineBoss:

"Leadership on and off the pitch—Dias is the anchor we've needed for years. His presence alone will transform Fulham's defence. Get ready for a steel curtain."

The reactions from Manchester City fans were a blend of disbelief, regret, and... well, shock.

@CityFan4Life:

"Losing Dias? Are we seriously doing this? I just want to know how many times Pep said 'no' before he let this happen. Fulham's gonna be hard to break down now, though. RIP to any striker facing them."

@ManCityMyHeart:

"You can't blame him, though. If Fulham offer more playtime and better benifits, I get it. But losing Dias? I'm not even mad... I'm devastated. He was our future, our leader."

But it wasn't just Manchester City fans who were reeling. The entire Premier League was in utter shock. Pundits scrambled to make sense of what was happening, and Henry Baskerville's masterplan began to take shape.

Pundit 1:

"Let's get this straight: Fulham just signed Rúben Dias, and this is no small acquisition. €78M for a player who was already a key part of one of the best defences in Europe. This is an elite signing. This changes everything for Fulham's backline."

Pundit 2:

"Okay, so Henry isn't just playing around anymore. First, he made bold moves in the market. But now, this—Dias? That's not just throwing money at a problem. That's smart business. It's like buying a ready-made fortress for your team. Fulham's defence is now legit."

Pundit 3:

"The most exciting part? Dias is a leader. He'll keep that backline organized and be a vocal presence on the pitch. Suddenly, Fulham are looking like a team you won't want to face in the Premier League."

As always, the memes were flying:

@MemeLordFootball:

"Rúben Dias to Fulham? Bruh, even my PlayStation is jealous of this transfer. 🕹️#TransferOverload"

@TransferTroll:

"City fans right now: 'We got Dias from Benfica for €65M, we let him go for €78M to Fulham…' #HowDidWeGetHere"

@TheFootballLad:

"Fulham just signed Rúben Dias...and I'm over here still trying to get my FIFA manager to stop sending me notifications about my 'bad player morale' from signing a random goalkeeper. 😂"

It was clear: Fulham wasn't just making headlines with these signings—they were starting a movement. The Premier League couldn't ignore them anymore.

Henry Baskerville had turned the club into one of the most intriguing stories in world football.

As Fulham fans reveled in the euphoria of seeing one of Europe's top centre-backs head to Craven Cottage, many knew that Henry wasn't done yet.

Rúben Dias was a statement signing, an exclamation mark in a summer of boldness. But with the window still open, what else could Henry possibly have up his sleeve?

If the Premier League had any doubts about Fulham's ambitions, they were rapidly being erased.

***

3 hours later, at exactly 4:00 PM, the inevitable happened: the Fulham's barely restored website crashed for the umpteenth time.

OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Ronald Araújo from Barcelona for €9M.

The entire internet collectively lost its mind.

Ronald Araújo. Barcelona's new young defensive sensation. La Masia's prized product. Once thought to be the future of Barça's backline.

Now, his future lay at Craven Cottage, partnering up with Rúben Dias to form what was undoubtedly the most terrifying centre-back duo in the Premier League.

Fans everywhere—Fulham supporters, Barcelona fans, rival teams, pundits—were all in a state of disbelief.

@BarçaBlues:

"Araújo to Fulham feels like Messi turning up at my Sunday league game. 🤯 I'm still trying to process this."

@DefenceDaily:

"Araújo's aerial power + Dias' leadership = centre-back dream team. 🚀 This is the most terrifying centre-back pairing the Premier League has seen in years. Is this a fantasy football team?"

@SolidAsARock:

"From La Masia to SW6—our defence just got an upgrade worthy of a blockbuster movie. If this doesn't make us title contenders, I don't know what will."

The shock wasn't just confined to Fulham fans. Barcelona supporters were in an uproar, too.

@CulersUnited:

"No way. No. WAY. We let Araújo go for just €9M? Are we out of our minds? That kid was the future of our defence. I'm not crying...you're crying."

@BarçaFanatic93:

"Can't believe we let him leave. He was a beast at the back whenever he played, and now he's going to be a wall at Fulham? The Premier League just got a serious upgrade."

But it wasn't just Barcelona fans who were shocked. Rival Premier League teams were already trembling at the thought of facing a defence led by Rúben Dias and Ronald Araújo.

@PremPlays:

"Wait, Fulham just signed Araújo AND Dias? If anyone can break this defence, I'm convinced it's a robot programmed to never miss a header."

@FootballJunkie:

"I feel sorry for any attacker facing Fulham this season. With Dias and Araújo at the back? They're just gonna park the bus, aren't they? Let's call it the Fortress Cottage."

And naturally, the pundits were scrambling to catch up.

Pundit 1:

"Ronald Araújo for €9M is a steal. Barcelona's loss is Fulham's gain. We're talking about a player who's showing immense potential, and now he's got the best possible mentor in Rúben Dias. That defensive pairing could be unstoppable."

Pundit 2:

"Araújo was tipped to become one of Barcelona's next great defenders. €9M is practically pocket change for a talent like that. Fulham have just got themselves a player who will dominate aerial duels and be an absolute nightmare for opposing forwards."

Pundit 3:

"Let's be clear: we're looking at a team that has suddenly become a fortress. The Premier League better watch out—Fulham just went from relegation candidates to serious contenders. They're here to play."

@FulhamFever:

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but our defence is looking stronger than most top-six teams. Dias + Araújo? Call us the Fortress Cottage now."

And as always, the tweets kept rolling in:

@DinosaurFootball:

"Fulham just signed Araújo for €9M. So what's next, a time machine to get Maradona back? This is FIFA, right? 😂"

@SeriousFootballTalk:

"Not only have Fulham signed a star defender in Araújo, but they've also got him for a bargain price. At €9M, it's a no-brainer. This is going to be a scary defence."

The deal had barely been announced, and already, the Premier League had to accept that Fulham were no longer the scrappy underdogs. Henry Baskerville's grand vision was becoming clear: a team built on defensive solidity, youthful energy, and a core of players ready to make waves.

With the window still open, who knew what other surprises were in store? But for now, the football world was left in awe of the rock-solid backline Fulham had just assembled—Rúben Dias and Ronald Araújo—and that was just the beginning.

***

The last announcement for the day came Around 5:00 PM, Fulham's website couldn't handle it anymore. The servers trembled, groaned, and then—imploded.

OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Nuno Mendes from Sporting Lisbon for €28M.

The internet was lost.

Nuno Mendes.The blazing-fast, attacking full-back from Portugal. The next big thing. The man who could make even the most seasoned defenders nervous. Now, he was Fulham's newest signing, set to wreak havoc down the left flank.

The chaos that followed was… expected, honestly. But that didn't make it any less spectacular.

@LisbonLionHeart:

"Our left wing went from whisper to ROAR in one tweet. Bring on the overloads! 🦁 #MendesMagic"

@LeftBackLove:

"Mendes + Robinson = flanks that nightmares are made of. 💥 Opposing wingers are already shaking."

@TacticalTess:

"Defensive solidity AND attacking thrust in one package—Nuno Mendes is the perfect full-back. Fulham are changing the game."

@SportingFanatic:

"Goodbye, Nuno. You'll always be a star in Lisbon, but I'll be cheering for you in the Premier League. Take down the big boys, kid."

As expected, rival fans were livid:

@CityFanForever:

"First Rodrygo, then Valverde, then Dias... and now Nuno Mendes? What is Henry's wallet made of, a black hole?!"

@ChelseaChaser:

"Okay, can we just acknowledge that Fulham are turning into this season's dark horses? Mendes? Really? The competition's trembling."

@RedDevilRival:

"Fulham's left flank is going to be unbreachable. I'd be more afraid of that than my Wi-Fi password being exposed."

Meanwhile, the pundits on TV were scrambling to catch up with Henry Baskerville's insane spending spree.

Pundit 1:

"This is next level. Nuno Mendes has the potential to be one of the best left wing-backs in the world. €28M is a bargain. Fulham aren't just signing players; they're signing game-changers."

Pundit 2:

"It's not just about the individual talent here. With Mendes and Dest, Fulham now have two of the most dynamic full-backs in the league. They're going to create chaos on the wings. Opposition defenders better start doing extra sprint drills."

Pundit 3:

"Let's not forget Mendes' defensive capabilities. Yes, he's an attacking machine, but he can also track back and shut down wingers. It's the perfect combination. Fulham might just be the most balanced team in the Premier League right now."

But, of course, the memes were unstoppable:

@FootballFunnies:

"Nuno Mendes when he sees an opposing winger: 'I'm sorry, was I supposed to be scared?' 💥 #FlankDomination"

@PremLeagueMemes:

"Fulham's full-backs are now basically a warning sign for wingers: 'Proceed with caution. Extreme speed and skill ahead.'"

As if the madness of the day wasn't enough, Fulham's website had one final tease for the night. A cryptic message appeared on the homepage, sending fans into a frenzy:

"Tomorrow, we will reveal two major superstars that will shock the world. Stay tuned."

The speculation was wild. Social media was flooded with wild guesses and theories.

@FulhamFever:

"Who the heck could top this? After Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Dias, and Mendes, we haven't even announced our biggest signings yet ? I'm seriously starting to believe Henry Baskerville might pull off a Messi-level signing."

@CottageKing:

"I'm thinking Mbappé or Haaland. I mean, we've already got one of the most ridiculous transfer windows in football history in just 2 days. Why stop now?"

@FootyFanatic:

"Two major superstars? Is it Neymar and Pogba? I'm ready for the shock of the century."

@TacticalTom:

"Okay, if these two signings are anything like the ones already made, I'm going to be booking a flight to London just to watch them play. Craven Cottage's atmosphere will be ELECTRIC."

As the night wore on, everyone was left guessing. Who were these superstars? Was Henry about to bring in the ultimate shock signing that would make everyone question their understanding of football transfers?

The whole footballing world was on the edge of its seat, and all eyes were set firmly on Fulham.

One thing was for certain: with every new signing, Henry Baskerville was shifting the balance of power in English football, and everyone knew—he wasn't done yet.

The rest of the footballing world braced themselves. They could hear the footsteps of Fulham—once a side to be taken lightly—growing louder and louder. If you thought this transfer window was wild, just wait until next season. Because Henry Baskerville had only just begun to make his mark.

And for the first time in a long while, everyone was paying attention to Fulham.

***

The morning after the madness of Nuno Mendes' signing, the Fulham website was barely hanging on. Server traffic was still through the roof from the day before, but Henry Baskerville wasn't done yet.

The staff knew today would be even bigger, so the IT team had worked overtime to boost the site's capacity, knowing that when these announcements dropped, madness would follow.

Fans were buzzing with anticipation. After all, Henry had promised that this was going to be the biggest day yet.

Fulham fans were in a state of disbelief—could it really get crazier than the day before? Could it really get any bigger than Rodrygo, Valverde, Dias, and Bellingham?

Well, of course, it could.

***

And at 10:00 AM sharp, it happened. The earth shook. The internet nearly combusted.

OFFICIAL:Fulham sign Erling Haaland for €122 Million + Ivan Cavaleiro from Borussia Dortmund.

Fans lost their minds. The Norwegian freight train had arrived in London ! Haaland. The striker with the power to break netting, and now, he was Fulham's new goal-scoring machine.

It was like Fulham had just landed a comet—blazing across the Premier League sky, ready to obliterate everything in its path.

Meanwhile, the news of Ivan Cavaleiro's departure was met with mixed reactions. Though some fans were sad to see him go, the addition of the beast that is Haaland made them quickly forget all about that.

The reactions were nothing short of legendary.

@HaalandHype:

"Now this is what I call a statement. H-A-A-L-A-N-D. 🚂💥 So who's next? Messi? Ronaldo? My hopes are too high at this point."

@ScoringSpree:

"Two strikers who might hit 50 goals together? I quit my job to watch every game. Someone get me a season ticket. I'll live in Craven Cottage."

@NorwegianThunder:

"Erling Haaland at Fulham? Someone pinch me. This isn't real. Wasn't he going to Manchester City? This is the transfer of the century, I'm calling it now."

@PremLeagueJunkie:

"I had to read this three times to believe it. Haaland? At Fulham? This is like seeing a UFO land in your backyard."

@BobbyBlue:

"This is a joke, right? Someone explain how Henry Baskerville convinced Haaland to come here when he could've gone anywhere! This window is unreal."

And it wasn't just the fans losing it. Football pundits were in complete disbelief as well.

Pundit 1:

"This is the kind of signing that sends shockwaves through the entire football world. Haaland at Fulham? I never thought I'd live to see the day. You're talking about a generational talent that's already dominating Europe. And now he's in Fulham's attack."

Pundit 2:

"Let's take a moment to appreciate the genius of this deal. Haaland is a goal machine. He's going to be scoring for fun in the Premier League. But I'm worried if this will trigger the FFP sanctions."

Pundit 3:

"I mean, Haaland's transfer fee alone is more than most clubs' entire budget. Yet, Fulham—Fulham—are making it happen. It's a sign of the changing times. We're witnessing the rise of a new power in English football."

As expected, rival fans weren't exactly sending thank you cards to Henry Baskerville.

@LiverpoolFan89:

"Alright, I see what's going on here. Fulham think they can just buy a dynasty now? Hahaha, enjoy the Haaland show while it lasts. But when you hit a wall, we'll be here. 👋"

@ArsenalInDisguise:

"First it was Valverde,Bellingham,Dias then Haaland. Are we supposed to pretend we're not witnessing the next big super-club rise right under our noses?"

@ChelseaChaser:

"Haaland at Fulham? What's next, Mbappé on loan? Look, I get it, Fulham fans—you're excited. But this is a huge gamble. Let's see if it pays off, yeah?"

Even rival managers weren't shy about taking a shot:

Schmosé Schmourinho (not his real name, but it rhymes):

"I welcome Mr. Baskerville's ambitions. But football isn't a game of fantasy. You can't just buy everything you want. Let's see how long these new toys last."

Pep Guardiola (Manchester City):

"Well, if anyone knows how to get the best out of Haaland, it's not an inexperienced manager like Mr. Baskerville, isn't it? I'll be watching this experiment very closely."

Despite the skepticism from the outside world, Fulham fans were beyond ecstatic.

Haaland's arrival wasn't just a signing—it was the ultimate declaration of war. They were no longer just another mid-table Premier League side. With Haaland leading their charge, Fulham were suddenly a threat to the established order of English football.

Back on Twitter, the fans just couldn't contain their excitement.

@CottageFaithful:

"To think, I used to just go to Craven Cottage to see a game... now I'm going to see Haaland rip defences apart. Fulham are not just a football team anymore. We're a movement."

And while the rest of the Premier League were still trying to figure out how the hell Henry Baskerville had pulled this off, Fulham fans were already making their plans.

"We're going to finish top 6 this season. Maybe even higher. Watch out, world."

***

As the sun began to dip behind the London skyline, the city buzzed with a level of excitement that hadn't been seen in years. Henry Baskerville had just dropped his first transfer mega-bomb, and the football world had no choice but to stop and take notice.

Fulham, once considered a mid-table afterthought, were now firmly in the conversation as the club to watch. They weren't just a side anymore—they were dangerous. The rise of Fulham had officially begun, and fans everywhere couldn't believe what they were seeing.

But the real kicker? There was still one more signing to be announced. If the rumours were true, this one was going to make all the others look like mere warm-ups.

And then, at precisely 4:00 PM, Fulham dropped the bombshell that sent shockwaves through the footballing world. Some people piched themselves to see if they were dreaming.

OFFICIAL:Fulham sign Cristiano Ronaldo for €72.5M + Aleksandar Mitrović from Juventus.

Cue total meltdown.

Cristiano Ronaldo. Five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Global icon. The Cristiano Ronaldo.

And now, he was donning the white of Fulham. Fans simply couldn't believe it. The man who had dominated Europe for over a decade, now playing at Craven Cottage.

Mitrović, The Serbian powerhouse and a Premier League veteran with a reputation for tearing up defence was swapped in the deal, sure. But with a player like Ronaldo arriving, Fulham fans didn't care much. This was the signing they they waited for.

The reactions? Absolutely wild.

@CR7Cult:

"CR7 in white stripes… my heart can't handle this. 🐐❤️ It's over. We've won. Fulham just became the team of the decade."

@SerbianStorm:

"Ronaldo back in the Premier League? This is Avengers movie levels of hype. 🎬 I'm about to watch the greatest football show on earth."

@GoalMachine:

"Letters are trembling: G-O-A-T. Fulham's attack is about to redefine the laws of physics. How many goals will he score this season? 40? 50? 70? Who knows!?"

@RonaldoCR7Fanatic:

"I LOVE YOU BASKERVILLE YOU MADMAN. I've seen it all now. You've really gone and done it."

Fulham fans were in complete shock, trying to process what had just happened. The signing of Ronaldo wasn't just a football move—it was a historic event. Everyone from pubs in Fulham to London's finest rooftops was buzzing with excitement. Fans literally didn't know how to cope.

@FulhamFan7:

"Okay, I've calmed down now… nope, I'm still crying. Ronaldo at Craven Cottage. What year is it? WHAT IS LIFE?"

@FulhamFury:

"To think, just yesterday we were dreaming about survival. Now we have Ronaldo. Did we just fast forward into the future?"

Meanwhile, the rival fans? Well, they weren't thrilled.

@LiverpoolFan87:

"Ronaldo to Fulham? This is a joke, right? I need a minute. Are they buying the relics from museum too now? 😂"

@CityGoon:

"Is this even real? The top clubs are all fighting over Mbappé and Haaland, and Fulham's like, 'Nah, we'll just take Cristiano Ronaldo.'"

Even the pundits were gobsmacked, trying to wrap their heads around what had just happened.

Pundit 1:

"Ronaldo at Fulham? If you'd told me this would happen a month ago, I would have laughed you out of the room. But here we are. Henry Baskerville has completely changed the game. Fulham are no longer a club to be overlooked."

Pundit 2:

"The football world has never seen anything like this. Ronaldo at Fulham? They have gone from mid-table mediocrity to title challengers in a single transfer window. It's insane."

Pundit 3:

"This could be one of the greatest individual signings in Premier League history. This is a once-in-a-lifetime move. Ronaldo, who's been the face of European football for two decades, now playing for Fulham. The attention this will bring to the club will be seismic."

@FootballForever:

"I've officially run out of words. I can't even process what's going on. Ronaldo at Fulham is a move no one saw coming, but it's genius. All eyes are on Craven Cottage now."

In Fulham's social media circles, fans were absolutely losing it. The memes were pouring in faster than Ronaldo could finish his post-match meal.

@TheRealCottage:

"Ronaldo and Haaland at Fulham? Next season we're gonna see a full-on footballing revolution. Who even needs a manager at this point? Just set the team loose!"

@FulhamFever:

"You know what they say: 'When Henry Baskerville goes, he goes BIG.' This is the man who took Fulham to the next level. Ronaldo. Haaland. Bellingham. Dias. Valverde. Mendes. If there's a footballing dream team, it's right here."

As for the players? Well, they were as buzzing as the fans. On social media, Haaland posted a picture of himself in a Fulham jersey, with a caption that simply read:

"Here we go England."

And that was that. Fulham weren't just a Premier League club anymore. They were global giants. The revolution had begun.

The football world was still catching its breath, but for Fulham fans? Well, they were living the dream. Their club had just been catapulted into the footballing elite, and there was no going back. The rise of Fulham was unstoppable.

And Henry Baskerville? The modern-day Bruce Wayne, playing football manager in real life—had just turned Fulham into the most exciting club in Europe.

Fulham fans, pundits, and rival clubs won't recover from this window for a decade.

****

Meanwhile, Other Managers Reacted strongly to this.

In Manchester, Pep Guardiola stared blankly at a press conference, muttering:

"...but we had the project...the philosophy..."

At Liverpool, Klopp laughed so hard he fell off his chair, before muttering:

"I guess money can buy happiness."

At Arsenal, Mikel Arteta just shook his head and quietly whispered to no one in particular:

"It was a nice dream while it lasted."

And back in north London, José Mourinho — sorry, Schmosé Schmourinho — was seen dramatically crossing Fulham off his fixture list, muttering about "dark magic" and "cheating the matrix."

Talk show hosts argued furiously on TV:

"Is this good for football?"

"Is this the death of competitiveness?"

"Is Henry Baskerville a genius or just a lunatic with a credit card?"

The answer, of course, was yes.

Meanwhile, in the Fulham Youth Academy:

While the world lost its mind over the first-team signings, Henry quietly stocked the academy too.

Lamine Yamal.Endrick.Arda Güler.Jamal Musiala.Alphonso Davies.Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.João Neves.Leny Yoro.Savinho. You name it, Henry has it.

Fulham's youth academy now looked like the Avengers' training program.

Future Ballon d'Or winners?Henry had at least three cooking in the oven.

Players Retained and Loaned:

Henry kept some solid players too, mixing youth with experience:

Alphonse Areola (loan from PSG) — GK

Kenny Tete — RB

Tosin Adarabioyo — CB

Joachim Andersen (loan from Lyon) — CB

Antonee Robinson — LB

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (loan from Chelsea) — CM

The spine of Fulham was starting to look scarily good.

And with the FIFA Manager System showing glowing green stats for "Morale" , "Potential", and "Loyalty," Henry felt invincible.

As Henry leaned back in his chair, watching the football world burn with envy and awe,

Alfred cleared his throat politely.

"Sir," he said, "I must admit — this strategy, unconventional though it may be, is... rather effective."

Henry grinned.

"Dear Alfred, we're not just here to play football."

He sipped his smoothie with a smug smile.

"We're here to win the whole bloody thing."

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