Fulham are ready to offer manager Marco Silva a new contract after he masterminded their magnificent start to the Premier League, according to the Daily Mail.

The Portuguese head coach has followed a season of success in the Championship – where the Whites won the title in his first campaign at Craven Cottage – by surpassing all expectations to lead the Whites to seventh place on their return to the top flight. Fulham, considered relegation certainties in the summer, head into tomorrow’s SW6 derby ahead of Chelsea and the the club’s hierarchy are keen to extend Silva’s contract – with a number of potentially attractive jobs poised to be become available at the end of this season.

Negotiations between Silva, his representatives and the club have yet to commence but the head coach has been made aware of Fulham’s intention to reward him with a new deal. The Cottagers are keen to tie down the former Everton, Hull and Watford head coach on a long-term basis before the end of this season to remove any uncertainty about Silva’s future. It is understood that the 45 year-old is keen to commit his future to Fulham as he is enjoying making his mark on the Premier League and he retains a strong working relationship with both the Khan family and Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham’s chief executive.