Reports from Italy on Sunday suggest that Fulham are making good progress in their bid to bring Roma centre back Roger Ibañez to Craven Cottage this summer.
The Whites have been encouraged by the reception that their initial enquiry over the 24 year-old centre defender, who has swiftly become Fulham’s ‘first choice’ target as they look to strengthen Marco Silva’s back line. Roma are ready to sell the Brazilian defender, who has made 149 first-team appearances in three years in the Italian capital, but are looking to make a profit that would help find Jose Mourinho’s reshaping of his own squad ahead of the new Serie A season.
Fulham face competition from a number of Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, and Vocegiallorossa.it reports that Roma believe only English sides will be able to meet their valuation of Ibañez, which is said to be between £20m and £26m. The Cottagers are said to be the side at the front of the queue at present – having convinced Roma of their concrete interested in Ibanez, who led the Italian top flight in terms of the highest number of succession interceptions last season and is seen as an ideal fit for Silva’s system.
