Reports from Italy this morning have linked Fulham with a summer move for AS Roma centre back Evan Ndicka.

The Whites would face competition from Juventus and a number of continental sides to sign the 24 year-old who has shone in his first season with the Giallorossi and won the African Cup of Nations Cup with hosts Ivory Coast last month, when the tournament hosts beat Nigeria, featuring Fulham’s Calvin Bassey and Alex Iowbi, in the final last month.

Ndicka is reportedly top of the Cottagers’ summer wishlist as they begin to contemplate replacing Tosin Adarabioyo, whose Craven Cottage contract expires in June. Roma would be seeking a significant sum to part with one of Serie A’s stellar defenders but Fulham are understood to have assured Marco Silva that he will receive substantial backing in the next transfer window.