Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has revealed that the club turned down a late bid from Fulham for James Dornelly during the January transfer window.
The League One outfit rejected an approach from the Premier League side in the final days of the window, opting to keep hold of their promising defender.
Dornelly Staying Put – For Now
The 19-year-old, who is under contract with Peterborough until 2028, has featured in 21 games this season across all competitions, scoring once. Despite interest from Fulham, the Posh were determined to retain one of their brightest young talents.
Speaking on the Hard Truth Podcast (via the Peterborough Telegraph), MacAnthony confirmed the bid and explained the club’s reasoning behind rejecting it:
“No word of a lie, Fulham bid for James on the day before deadline day and I turned it down. I’m not trying to sell him. He made one brilliant tackle at the start of the second half last week when it looked odds on they would score.
“He was magnificent in the game. He has improved defensively by watching Carl Johnston and he was great going forward. We have to give these young lads every chance or what is the point in having a Category 2 Academy? We are too quick to write players off sometimes.”
Peterborough’s Rising Star
Dornelly has been part of Peterborough’s setup since his early youth days, steadily progressing through their academy ranks. He signed his first professional contract in April 2023 and made his senior debut later that year against Portsmouth.
Since then, the teenager has been gradually integrated into the first team by Darren Ferguson, earning valuable game time and showing his potential as a key player for the future.
Fulham, who were reportedly keen on securing Dornelly as a long-term investment, failed to meet Peterborough’s valuation, leading to their bid being dismissed. Whether they will return with an improved offer in the summer remains to be seen.
Writer’s View
Peterborough’s decision to reject Fulham’s bid suggests they see Dornelly as a key part of their future, which is a bold move given their current struggles in League One. The defender has impressed in spells this season, and keeping him in their ranks could be vital for their survival hopes.
For Fulham, missing out on Dornelly may be a temporary setback, but they could return in the summer, especially if the player continues to develop. With the Cottagers keen to bolster their defensive options, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them reignite their interest once the season ends.
