Fulham want Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood to replace Brian McBride at Craven Cottage.

As American striker Brian McBride is returning home after four seasons at Fulham he leaves manager Roy Hodgson looking for a powerful hitman to lead the line.

Speculation has been rife that 28-year-old Harewood is on his way out of the club and his agent Phil Sproson confirmed there had been interest from Fulham.

Sproson said: “It is a case of watch this space. Marlon has been linked with four or five clubs.

Villa would want to recoup most of the £4million they spent on Harewood, 28, when they signed him from West Ham last summer. He still has two years left on his contract.