Fulham are nearing an agreement with Aston Villa over the signing of central defender Diego Carlos, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The transfer expert has tweeted this morning that there has been a breakthrough in the discussions between the two Premier League clubs. Fulham had an initial offer for the Brazilian centre half rejected on Friday, but Romano now reports that discussions are at advanced stage between the parties. He says that there is still some work to do regarding the structure of the deal – with add-ons set to potentially increase the fee Villa will receive for the 31 year-old – and personal terms between Carlos and the Whites.

Fulham are seeking a second central defensive signing of the summer after Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream, key components of the club’s past two years in the top flight, left on free transfers during the close season. Marco Silva has already signed Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal, but sees Carlos as competition for the Spaniard, Calvin Bassey and Issa Diop. The Cottagers want to complete this deal before their opening game of the new season at Manchester United on Friday night.