After a month of anticipation, July was finally here. Every Fulham fan was looking forward to what Henry was planning to do this summer. But they didn't know what Henry Baskerville would do would be beyond their imagination.
The Summer Transfer Window — July 1st, 2020
The clock struck midnight.
Across Europe, clubs braced themselves for the madness of the transfer window.
Phones rang. Agents sharpened their lies. Sporting directors popped antacids.
And at Craven Cottage?
Henry Baskerville sat back, cracked his knuckles, and said, "Showtime."
***
First thing in the morning, Fulham's official Twitter account dropped a bomb.
It was a simple tweet.
"Big things are coming. Stay tuned. #FFC #NewEra"
Fans went wild.
@CottageFaithful: Announcement of an announcement! Classic! But GIVE US SOMETHING.
@PremierBanters: Probably signed another 40-year-old Championship midfielder lmao.
Oh, how wrong they were.
***
At exactly 10:00 AM London time, Fulham's website updated which threw the fans into a frenzy.
Because this announcement went up:
"OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Federico Valverde from Real Madrid for €70M + Tom Cairney."
Cue absolute pandemonium.
Fans couldn't believe their eyes.
Valverde. Federico freaking Valverde.Real Madrid's midfield rising star and their future replacement for Kroos. He was Now at Fulham. Although they exchanged him for their captain Cairney, it was worth it.
The website exploded.
@RealMadridFanboy: WHAT IS HAPPENING?!??!?!?!?!?!
@CottageFaithful: Mum, I made it. I saw Fulham sign a star.
@FulhamUpdates: Is this real? Am I dreaming? Slap me. No, actually don't, just let me enjoy this.
Meanwhile, hosts and analysts on TV were scrambling.
"Valverde...at Fulham...?! Surely this is some prank?"
It wasn't.
Gary Linekar remarked with a baffled look on his show, " This is got to be some bad joke."
And Henry was just getting started.
***
One hour later, 11:00 AM, just as Fulham's servers were barely recovering from the Valverde announcement, they got hit by a second tsunami.
This time, the screen flashed:
OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund for €25M.
And then — kaboom — the website crashed harder than Fulham's 2018–19 defense.
The world froze.
Jude Bellingham.Seventeen years old. Already bossing midfielders twice his size in Germany. A teenage sensation who was being courted by Europe's biggest sharks — and now, somehow, miraculously, he was pulling on a Fulham shirt.
The reactions came flying in faster than a Bellingham goal.
@BellinghamBeliever:
"Jude at Craven Cottage is like finding a unicorn in your backyard... and then the unicorn asks if you wanna play five-a-side." 😭🦄
@YellowWallWatcher:
"Dortmund to Fulham? My cousin said he'd eat his shoe if this happened. Guess who's having a leather sandwich tonight?" 🍽️👟
@FutureEnglandStar:
"Seventeen years old and already carrying midfield battles like groceries. Imagine him bossing the Premier League. For only 25 million? Absolute daylight robbery!" 🏴⚽
@CravenCrazies:
"Mate, I thought we were getting another 35-year-old has-been. Instead, we got the future captain of England." 👑
@BundesligaBro:
"Bro, I just blinked and Fulham turned into Bayern London." 🏰😂
Meanwhile, the pundits were losing their collective minds on live TV:
Pundit 1 (clutching his head):"I…I have no words. Jude Bellingham could have gone anywhere — Madrid, Liverpool, United — and he chose Fulham?"
Pundit 2 (laughing uncontrollably):"Henry Baskerville must have cast some kind of spell. This isn't normal!"
Pundit 3 (trying to stay serious):"At €25M, Bellingham is one of the bargains of the decade if he fulfills even half his potential. Fulham might have just stolen the crown jewel."
At Craven Cottage, the old guard fans were whispering to each other like schoolboys:
"Did we win the lottery?"
"Is the Queen secretly backing us now?"
"Have they tested Henry Baskerville for magic powers?"
Even the ticket office staff were confused. One said, half-joking, "I thought we'd be selling tickets for Fulham vs. Wycombe. Now people are asking for Fulham vs. Bayern Munich tickets?"
In Germany, Dortmund fans held mock funerals for the loss of their teenage prodigy. One banner even read:
"RIP JUDE TO FULHAM 2020: GONE TOO SOON." ⚰️😭
In truth, Jude Bellingham's signing was a message.Fulham wasn't here to just "stay up" anymore.They were here to conquer.
And Henry Baskerville?He was just getting warmed up.
He had more to offer.
***
By 11:30 AM, Fulham's IT department was on life support.Just when the poor servers thought they could catch a breather after the Valverde and Bellingham madness, Henry Baskerville and Fulham dropped another bomb:
OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Eduardo Camavinga from Stade Rennais for €35M.
The website flickered, coughed…and promptly passed out again.
Fans didn't know whether to scream, laugh, or just faint gracefully into their sofas.Camavinga.The 17-year-old midfield sensation who recently made headlines in France for playing like a 28-year-old veteran. Rennes' crown jewel. Now trading the quiet hills of Brittany for the roaring banks of the Thames.
Across London, phones were blowing up faster than microwaved tin foil.
@MidfieldMaestro:
"Camavinga , Valverde and Bellingham anchoring our midfield? I haven't slept since I saw this. Might just cry into my pillow now. Tears of joy. Thank you Henry ." 😭😱
@RennesRefugee:
"Saying goodbye hurts. Watching him in Fulham white? Hurts a little less. Okay, a lot less. GO GET THAT PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE, KING." 💔➡️❤️👑
@TacticalToby:
"Imagine Camavinga shielding the back four and pinging 40-yard passes to Bellingham and Mitrovic. This isn't Fulham. This is Galacticos: West London edition." 🎯⚽
@FrenchFury:
"We let Camavinga leave Rennes at 17, and Fulham of all clubs gets him? 2020 is truly the weirdest timeline." 🇫🇷🌀
@NeutralNancy:
"Even my nan knows who Camavinga is, and she still thinks Zidane plays for France. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" 👵😂
Meanwhile, on TV, pundits were trying—and failing—to keep it professional:
Pundit 1 (half-laughing, half-crying):"First Valverde. Then Bellingham. Now Camavinga? Fulham are hoarding midfielders like there's going to be a world shortage!"
Pundit 2 (throwing papers in the air):"Someone check if Henry Baskerville robbed a Football Manager save file and made it real!" (How did he know xD)
Pundit 3 (adjusting his glasses in disbelief):"Camavinga isn't just talented. He's generational. If he adapts quickly, Fulham won't just survive—they'll thrive."
At Craven Cottage, giddy fans ran mock tours around the stadium shouting:
"Midfield's closed, lads. No more passes allowed through here!"
"Next stop: Europe! Or at least the decent half of the Premier League table!"
At Rennes, heartbroken fans lit tiny candles outside their stadium.One forlorn supporter even scribbled on cardboard:
"Take care of him, Fulham. Or we riot." 🕯️
Eduardo Camavinga wasn't just another signing.He was the engine.The shield.The future.
And Henry?
He was three-for-three in pure madness...and loving every second of it.The Premier League had no idea what was coming.
And neither, honestly, did Fulham fans.
***
At exactly 1:00 PM, the digital lights at Craven Cottage flickered once, then went out. Fans around the globe, their eyes glued to their screens, watched in utter disbelief as another bombshell dropped.
OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid for €58.4M.
The football world collectively paused.
Rodrygo.The Brazilian wonderkid. Flashy dribbles. Clásico heroics. That goal in the Champions League. Now swapping the bright lights of Madrid for the electric buzz of SW6.
Fans? They were losing it.
@LaLigaLover:
"My heart is broken and rebuilt in white. Rodrygo at Fulham—my emotions have no chill. I swear I'm both crying and fist-pumping at the same time." 💥😭
@SwishandScore:
"Bernabéu to Cottage? If life's a video game, someone hit the save button—this cannot be real!" 🔥🎮
@WingWizard:
"Rodrygo on the right flank? He'll turn our wings into goal factories. First highlight reel will be on every TV in the country. Book it." ⚡📹
@TheRealMadridista:
"How did we let him go?! Who does that? What is even happening?! What is wrong with Florentino!" 😱💔
@FutbolGenius:
"A guy who can dribble past anyone in La Liga and now he's crossing into Mitrovic for fun? You're telling me Fulham just got THAT Rodrygo?" 🤯
@FulhamFaithful:
"Is this real life or a dream sequence from a Netflix football documentary? Please tell me this is real." 🤷♂️😆
On TV, the pundits were beside themselves:
Pundit 1 (smiling in disbelief):"Rodrygo. At Fulham. This is like winning the lottery with a scratch-off ticket you found on the street."
Pundit 2 (still staring at the screen in shock):"I don't even know what to say at this point. Madrid's loss is definitely Fulham's gain. This is either pure genius, or it's a huge gamble—no middle ground."
Pundit 3 (nodding seriously):"This is more than a signing. This is a statement. Henry Baskerville is telling the Premier League that Fulham aren't just here to survive, they're here to compete."
At Craven Cottage, fans couldn't stop talking. Some were on the phone with their friends in disbelief:
"Did you see the news? Rodrygo. RODRYGO. He's also wearing our colors now."
"Mate, we just went from Championship fodder to potential top-six contenders!"
"I feel like we've just time-travelled into a parallel universe. Next thing you know, Messi's walking through the door."
At the Bernabéu, some fans were seen forming groups for impromptu mourning sessions. One fan posted a meme of Rodrygo's iconic goal against Galatasaray, followed by a dramatic picture of a mourner crying with the caption:
"This is how I'm feeling right now, Madridistas. Farewell, Rodrygo." 😢⚪
As the hours passed, speculation began to swirl like a whirlwind:Would Fulham now target even more Real Madrid players? Why did Real even sell them despite their future potential? Would Rodrygo help turn the tide for Fulham's attack?
All they knew for sure was this:Fulham were no longer the team trying to avoid relegation.They were a real threat to everyone, with Rodrygo, Valverde, Camavinga and Bellingham forming a deadly core.
And Henry Baskerville?He was living out every football nerd's dream, signing the best young talent on the planet, one star at a time.
***
At exactly 2:00 PM, Fulham's website collapsed under the weight of another bombshell. Fans could barely catch their breath as the latest headline flashed across their screens:
OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for €20.9M.
Absolute Pandemonium.
Florian Wirtz.The teenage attacker who'd been slicing up Bundesliga defenses like they were paper. Now, he was about to be slicing through Premier League defenses wearing Fulham white.
And the internet collectively lost it. Again.
@WerkSelfie:
"Wirtz in white is the football fairy tale I never knew I needed. He's 17, but plays like he's been around for a decade. This is insane. All the players Henry signed are young with huge potential!" ✨🤯
@BundesligaBuff:
"Leverkusen to London? The guy who ran their midfield now runs Fulham's. This kid's the missing link in their midfield machine. 💪*
@ScoutCentral:
"Radar passes, silky movement, and vision beyond his years. This kid's highlights will break the internet. Get ready for Wirtz's world domination." 🚀
@FulhamFever:
"Who needs a fairy godmother when you've got Henry Baskerville? Wirtz, Mitrovic, Bellingham... I'm convinced we're in a dream." 🌟💭
@FootballVibesOnly:
"Fulham signing young gems like Wirtz, Bellingham, and Camavinga. Someone pinch me, I think we've entered the Matrix." 🌀⚽
On TV, pundits were scrambling for words, their shock evident:
Pundit 1 (eyes wide):"Wirtz at Fulham? This is madness. He was the future of Leverkusen and now he's the present of Fulham's midfield. I... I just can't keep up."
Pundit 2 (chuckling in disbelief):"First Valverde. Then Bellingham and Camavinga. Now Wirtz? Fulham's turned into a European superclub overnight. Who do they think they are, PSG?"
Pundit 3 (with a smirk):"A future Ballon d'Or contender at Fulham? I'm starting to think Henry Baskerville might be onto something. The Premier League's going to need a new hierarchy."
At Craven Cottage, fans were celebrating with impromptu chants and memes being churned out like crazy. Some were already crafting elaborate theories on how Wirtz would link up with Bellingham , Valverde and Rodrygo to form an unstoppable midfield triangle. Others were still in shock, contemplating how they'd go from celebrating avoiding relegation to planning for European football.
"So, this is what it feels like to be a top club. I'm not used to this."
"Wirtz, Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Rodrygo... Fulham could actually win something."
"We're one step away from signing Messi at this rate. I mean, who else is left?"
Meanwhile, in Germany, Leverkusen fans could barely hold it together. One fan posted a meme of Wirtz's signature assist in the Bundesliga, with the caption:
"Goodbye, Florian. You'll always be remembered. But also, WHAT THE HELL, Fulham?" 😭⚪
***
An hour later, At exactly 3:00 PM, the Fulham website crashed yet again. Fans refreshed, hoping it was a mistake, but no, it was real:
OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Rafael Leão for €13.2M from AC Milan.
The football world did not know what hit it.
Leão.The dazzling Portuguese winger with samba flair. The Milan magician who could leave defenders in his wake with just a flick of his boot. Now he was bringing that flair to Craven Cottage.
Chaos. Absolute bedlam.
@SambaSwish:
"Leão's speed + flair = defenders left spinning like tornadoes. I'm giddy. 🌪️ This man's going to be a highlight reel on legs." 😆⚡
@ACMilanMourner:
"I loved him in red and black, but if he's scoring screamers in white… I might just forgive Henry. 😭❤️"
@GoalGlasses:
"One flick, one burst of speed, and this man will be a montage heaven. Fulham fans, get ready for some serious magic." ✨🎬
@FulhamFanatic:
"Leão at Fulham is like watching a gazelle sprint through a herd of hippos. Pure elegance, pure chaos." 🦒💨
@MilanistaMemories:
"Goodbye, Rafael. I'll miss you. But if you score on City next season, I'll forgive you. Also, what did Fulham do to deserve this?" 🖤💔
On TV, analysts were flabbergasted:
Pundit 1 (laughing):"Rafael Leão. Fulham. How does this even happen? One minute he's scoring against Juventus in the Serie A, and now he's lighting up the Premier League? This is unreal."
Pundit 2 (nodding):"We've seen the hype around him, but now he's in the Premier League. This could be a game-changer for Fulham. A fast, direct winger who can make a difference in tight games."
Pundit 3 (smiling):"With Leão, they've got a player who can break through the lines in an instant. It's like he's got an extra gear that no one else has."
In Milan, fans were absolutely devastated, but there was a grudging respect. One posted a picture of Leão's stunning solo goal against Juventus, accompanied by the caption:
"We knew he was something special. Good luck, Rafael. If you're going to score screamers in white, we'll forgive you. But only just." 😢⚪
At Craven Cottage, fans were quickly turning into full-on Leão fanboys and fangirls. You couldn't go two steps without hearing people debate whether he'd be the one to fire them into Europe.
"Leão's gonna break ankles, I swear."
"Forget about running down the wing; he's going to glide past defenders. This is gonna be fun."
"I've got my Leão shirt pre-ordered. If he scores a brace against Arsenal, I'll never take it off."
As the transfer window went on, Fulham fans were beginning to accept that the world they once knew—one of struggle and survival—was gone.
And the Henry Baskerville era?Well, it was only getting started. With each signing, the dream of a top-four finish wasn't just some fan wish anymore. It was becoming a genuine possibility.
***
At exactly 4:00 PM, the website was once again brought to its knees. Fans were bracing themselves, as they had learned by now that nothing was too outlandish for Henry Baskerville.
OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Sergiño Dest for €12.4M + Joe Bryan from Barcelona.
Cue pure mayhem.
Dest.The USA's rising star. Barcelona's marauding full-back. A player who could zip down the wing like he was born for La Liga, now switching to the Premier League to add some much-needed flair to Fulham's backline.
Fans did what they do best: they lost it.
@BarçaBleeds:
"Dest ditching Barcelona for Fulham stripes? What alternate universe are we living in? Mind = blown. 🤯"
@WingWizard:
"Two distinct styles at full-back—holy tactical flexibility, Batman! 🦇 We've got a modern, overlapping marauder and an old-school warrior on the left. Fulham's backline just went next level."
@CottageFanatics:
"Dest's pace, and Robinson's defense, this is going to terrorize right and left flanks. Let's hope they've got enough energy to play 90 minutes after running all that time!" 😜💨
@FulhamFaithful:
"Dest is the future of USA football, and Bryan… well, Bryan's always been ours. I'm sad to see him go, but he's at Barcelona now, so can't complain.." 🇺🇸⚪
Meanwhile, Barcelona fans were utterly stunned:
"Sergiño Dest leaving Barca? What's going on? Is it our transfer policy or just bad luck? Maybe we need a new manager... again. #FoolishMove" 🧐
@CatalanRebel:
"This is just embarrassing. Barcelona letting a talent like Dest go to Fulham... Ugh. What happened to us?" 😤
But back in London, the analysts were having a field day:
Pundit 1:"Dest at Fulham? This could be a huge coup. He's got pace, vision, and can make those darting runs down the wing. Under Henry's system, he's going to be a real weapon."
Pundit 2:"And Bryan's swap deal? A masterstroke. Henry basically saved money in every deal he made."
Pundit 3:"Imagine this: Dest bombing forward on the right, Robinson whipping in crosses from the left... It's going to be beautiful chaos. Fulham's full-backs are going to be central to their attacking play this season."
The social media chatter was non-stop:
@CottageCraze:
"Full-back wars coming to Craven Cottage! Dest's pace and Bryan's crosses? We'll need defenders with sprinting shoes on." 😎
@TacticalGenius:
"One full-back can defend, the other can cross—watch them combine like a tag team in the Premier League. That's a perfect blend of offense and defense."
The reactions from Fulham fans ranged from euphoria to outright disbelief. They were genuinely beginning to think that this might be their season.
Fulham's backline was no longer just about being solid. Now, it was about being dynamic, creative, and capable of changing the game with every run down the wing.
A blend of youth, dynamism, and experience—ready to stake their claim in the Premier League.
***
At exactly 5:00 PM, the Fulham website was sent into another tailspin. Fans had barely recovered from the previous transfer announcements when they were greeted with this bombshell:
OFFICIAL: Fulham sign Andriy Lunin for €14M + Terence Kongolo from Real Madrid.
Havoc.
Lunin.Ukraine's promising shot-stopper. Real Madrid's backup goalkeeper. Now, he was stepping into the spotlight at Fulham. Real Madrid had trusted him enough to back him as their future, and now Fulham had snatched him up for a reasonable price, making him their undisputed future No. 1.
Terence Kongolo was swapped for this deal, but not many felt bad. The player had value, but they had other defensive options. A solid goalkeeper of their own was more necessary. They even had to loan Areola due to lack of proper goalkeepers.
As expected, the social media world exploded.
@UkrainianUnity:
"Lunin's gloves = guaranteed clean sheets? I'm already ordering shirts. 🧤 This is the moment I've been waiting for, Ukraine's finest shot-stopper at Craven Cottage!"
@CleanSheetChaser:
"Bold moves between the sticks and at the back—this is modern defending. Fulham's defence is now a two-way wall—solid at the back, but capable of stopping anything in front of them."
Elsewhere, fans of Real Madrid were having a much more mixed reaction:
@RealMadrid_Ramblings:
"Lunin to Fulham? This is the start of something big for him, but it's tough to see him go. Still, if we get Courtois for a few more seasons, then I suppose it's a good deal for him to get first-team football."
@LuninToNumberOne:
"I'm gutted to see Lunin leave, but a move to Fulham could give him the chance to shine. Wish him all the best—except when he plays against us!"
In the world of football pundits, the mood was equally mixed. Some were baffled by Henry's decision, while others saw a clear vision behind the moves.
Rio Ferdinand remarked on Sky sports:
"Lunin's a keeper with a lot of potential, but to take him out of Real Madrid and hand him the starting role at Fulham? That's bold. It could work out really well, or it could end up with a lot of pressure on his shoulders."
***
As the first day of transfer window drew to a close, it was becoming clear that Henry Baskerville was playing chess while the rest of the Premier League was stuck on checkers. With the addition of these players, Fulham's spine was beginning to look seriously strong.
Whether these transfers would prove to be the final pieces to Fulham's Premier League puzzle was still unknown, but one thing was certain: the club was no longer just a mid-table afterthought. They were coming for the big dogs, and they weren't backing down.
Henry's masterstroke wasn't just about flashy signings—it was about a solid foundation.
Fulham was shaping up to be a well-oiled machine, ready to tackle the demands of Premier League football with grit and determination.
Would these upgrades be enough to turn Fulham into serious contenders, or was this just the beginning of a much larger project? Only time would tell.
But for now, Fulham fans were riding high—and so were the football analysts, who were already putting together their highlight reels.
And the fun part? This was not even all the signings according to Fulham Website. They announced they will introduce some more exciting players in the upcoming days.
The fans could barely sleep, refreshing the club website every minute to see what surprise their wealthy owner has prepared next. Although they could not imagine the shock that awaited them.