Fulham are preparing a bid for VfL Wolfsburg winger Patrick Wimmer, according to reports this morning.

Football Insider claims that the Whites are ready to table an offer for the 22 year-old Austrian international, who they have watched frequently over the past nine months. The former SV Gaflenz and Austria Wien wide man starred during his first Bundesliga season as he scored four goals and added eight assists in 29 appearances in all competitions for Wolfsburg, who finished eighth in the table.

Wimmer, who joined Die Wölfe in a £4.3m deal last summer from second tier Arminia Bielefeld, has four more years to run on his current contract but Wolfsburg are braced for bids from across Europe this summer as suitors try to tempt one of their brightest talents to pastures new. Belgian journalist Sacha Tavoleri revealed last month that Wimmer, who has won three senior caps for his country, was high on Fulham’s list of targets and Cottagers are expected to formalise their interest within the next week.

Head coach Silva has spoken of the need to strengthen the squad that finished tenth in the top flight with early signings over the summer and is believed to be eyeing another winger with Dan James poised to return to Leeds United following the conclusion of his loan at Craven Cottage and a deal to sign Manor Solomon permanently not yet confirmed.