PSG fringe player the ideal solution to Fulham’s midfield issues

Moneybags Paris Saint Germain and their ever-broadening array of talent appear to be ready to oust academy product Clement Chantome and a move to the Premier League could be on the cards.

Both Everton and West Brom have been credited with an interest in the player, but Fulham could be his most likely destination at this stage.

The Cottagers – available to back for relegation at 4/1 with Ladbrokes – are in desperate need of a battling central midfielder as much as they are a second striker and Chantome could be the solution to their problem.

The 28 Ligue 1 appearances Chantome made last term was a personal high, though only 16 of these were starts and this lack of first-team action has seemingly forced the players hand in seeking a move away from the French capital.

PSG are unlikely to demand an astronomical fee for a player they clearly don’t hold in too high a regard and this will endear him to the west Londoners.

Recent reports have heavily linked Fulham with a move for Lee Cattermole, yet if they’re prepared to fork out a little extra in terms of transfer fee, they’ll be getting a far superior footballer.

Chantome possesses the aggression and spirit that former Sunderland skipper Cattermole brings to the table, while his passing and technical prowess dwarfs that of Martin Jol’s other top midfield target.

Only PSG teammate Alex had a higher pass completion rate than Chantome of all the players that made north of 10 appearances in Ligue 1 last term, with 92 per cent of his passes finding their intended target.

Steve Sidwell is the only sitting midfielder in the Fulham ranks at present and he lacks in real ability on the ball, while his over-zealousness in the tackle often leads to extended periods on the FA’s suspended register.

With Adel Taarabt’s loan signing already completed, Jol is clearly trying to improve Fulham’s creativity for the coming season and Chantome would fit that criteria perfectly.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date