Benfica defender Jose Fonte is in London and expected to sign for Fulham this week.

The youngster is due to sign a loan contract until the end of the season with Chris Coleman’s side after travelling from Portugal to discuss terms.

Although only being signed by Benfica in December, on a four-and-a-half year deal from Vitoria Setubal, the Lisbon giants are keen to farm him out in order to obtain more first team experience.

The 22-year-old is a centre back and will compete with the likes of Zat Knight and Alain Goma with a section of the Craven Cottage support voicing criticism of Knight’s displays this term.

Benfica’s plan was always to loan the Portugal Under-21 international out and Coleman is ready to oblige, providing the formalities of the deal are tied up.

Fonte was part of one of Europe’s most miserly defences during his time with Vitoria.

Coleman will take a closer look at the player over the next couple of days before deciding whether to progress, as planned, with the move.