Fulham have reportedly made an official enquiry into the availability of Lyon midfielder Steed Malbranque.
Malbranque, who has been linked with a move to Craven Cottage since speculation first hit the French press last month, is looking for regular football having spent much of last season on the Lyon bench.
The 21-year-old is considered one of the brightest talents in France and is understood to be keen on signing for Fulham, whose assistant manager Christian Damiano nurtured his talent at the Clarefontaine youth academy where Malbranque excelled for the national junior sides. Tigana is keen to sign the precocious playmaker and Fulham will not be deterred by the rumoured £4.5m fee that would secure his services.
