Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion are among a host of European clubs considering a move for central defender Thomas Heurtaux this month, according to reports in Italy this weekend.
The 6ft centre back has struggled for first team football at Udinese this season, making just six appearances for the Italian club in Serie A this term, and is keen to make a permanent month during the January transfer window, according to a radio interview with his agent. Hertaux, who was a prominent transfer target for Swansea City when they were looking for a replacement for Ashley Williams during the summer, made his name with Caen, for whom he made 67 league appearances over two seasons, before moving to Italy.
The 28 year-old would be open to interest from England and Slavisa Jokanovic is keen to strengthen his defence further in January after the untimely injury to Tomas Kalas. Even if the on-loan Chelsea defender were to return from his hamstring problem sooner than expected, Fulham can currently only choose from Tim Ream and Ragnar Sigurdsson at centre back and could badly do with reinforcements given the gruelling Championship fixture programme. Hertaux is also rumoured to be a target for the high-flying Seagulls, who are also eyeing defensive additions before the window shuts.
