Not exactly the best defence in the Championship, but also not the worst, Fulham’s 30 goals conceded in 24 games appear to still be too much for Slaviša Jokanović, and a new defender is on the agenda.
At least, that’s what local Italian newspaper Messaggero Veneto have been reporting over the weekend, with interest emerging from Craven Cottage for Udinese’s Thomas Heurtaux.
The 28-year-old, who was a target for Swansea over the summer, hasn’t played as much as expected this season, and his agent recently told TMW Radio that there were ‘several clubs interested’ in his client, and that they would ‘find a solution, in Italy or abroad’.
According to Messaggero Veneto, Fulham are in pole position for the French defender, while Chris Hughton’s Championship leaders Brighton, currently two points clear of Newcastle with a game in hand, are also looking at the Udinese man.
The Seagulls have turned Falmer Stadium into a fortress this season, conceding only six goals so far, and losing just the once, yet a move for Heurtaux there seems to make little sense.
Both Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy are 25, and with the pair clearly in great form right now, game time would be hard to come by for Heurtaux.
The player’s agent said his client is looking for a ‘permanent solution’, meaning a loan deal appears to be out of the window unless a compulsory purchase option is included.
Heurtaux has made seven appearances for Udinese so far this season, picking up one assist in a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina when deployed as a right-back.
