Belgian international in talks with Cottagers.
Check in to Swansea City vs Fulham
Fulham are said to be closing in on a deal to sign FC Porto midfielder Steven Defour in a deal worth around £7m, according to reports in the Metro.
Read More Fulham Transfer News
New coach Rene Meulensteen has identified the Belgian international as a key figure into turning the side’s season around by helping them claw clear of the relegation zone.
And source in the player’s native Belgium claim that his agent Paul Stefani is in London holding talks with Cottagers chief executive Alistair Mackintosh about a possible permanent switch.
The former Standard Liege man had reportedly been a target for fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, who had been linked with taking him on loan for the rest of the season, but personal terms have apparently been agreed with the west London outfit, who have put together a deal that could see him stay with the Cottagers until 2018.
However, Porto do not want to loan him out and are even reluctant to sell him despite a dip in form recently, restricting him to just 13 appearances all season.
But Stefani said: “Steven wants to leave the club. Porto don’t want to sell him and consider him as a player for the future, but with the upcoming World Cup, Steven has to play more games.”
Anderlecht were also keen to take him on board, but Defour has made it known that he would rather head for the Premier League instead.
Find out the top 10 biggest match-fixing scandals in sport history.