Fulham boss Chris Coleman wants to take Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper to Craven Cottage.
Coleman is already planning for the departure of first-choice keeper Edwin van der Sar, with the Dutchman’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, and has targeted Harper as his replacement.
Coleman has spoken to his big pal and former Welsh colleague Gary Speed about Harper and received rave reports about the longest-serving player at St James’ Park.
van der Sar is on a massive £42,000-a-week and the Fulham hierarchy are open to selling the experienced goalkeeper in January and use the proceeds to sign Harper.
Coincidentally, Harper’s only Premiership game since 2000-01 came against Fulham at St James’ Park at the beginning of this month when, after the United defence crumbled, the keeper conceded four goals while at the other end veteran Mark Crossley played the game of his life.
Crossley was injured in Saturday’s defeat by Blackburn Rovers at Craven Cottage, allowing Van der Sar to get back in.
The 29-year-old Harper has already been linked with Middlesbrough this season but this could have been to try and put pressure on their Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer whose contract also expires at the end of this season.
