Fulham are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in signing Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic, according to reports from Italy.

The 29 year-old centre back is likely to leave the Azzurri before the end of the January transfer window having failed to reach an agreement over a new contract with his current deal expiring in the summer. The Serbian international has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, who are far from certain to enter the market despite their central defensive injury crisis, and West Ham reportedly failed with a £14m bid in the summer. Tottenham have been credited with an interest in a Bosman move for Maksimovic should he wait until the summer to find a new club.

It is understood that Maksimovic would be available for around £9m. While Fulham’s number one priority in the closing hours of the transfer window will be bringing in attacking reinforcements, the ropey display of Scott Parker’s second string defence in the FA Cup defeat by Burnley last weekend might make a move for the former Red Star Belgrade centre half an attractive proposition.

The 6ft 4in defender, who has won 25 caps for his country, helped Napoli win the Coppa Italia last season and has fourteen first-team appearances thus season.