Premier League newcomers Fulham look set to sign Sevilla’s Sergio Rico, leaving Championship duo QPR and Bristol City to fight for Marcus Bettinelli.
The Fulham starting XI that begins the 2018/19 Premier League season could be quite different from the one that won the play-off final in May.
The Cottagers have spent big this summer, bringing in the likes of Alfie Mawson, Jean Michel Seri and Aleksandar Mitrovic to completely alter the spine of the team, with Joe Bryan also set to arrive at left-back.
And it seems that Fulham are now set to sign a second new goalkeeper, too. They have already brought in Fabri from Besiktas and another Spanish shot-stopper is allegedly on their radar – Sevilla’s Sergio Rico.
The 24-year-old Rico has been Sevilla’s number one for the last four seasons and has developed into one of La Liga’s most underrated shot-stoppers.
He won the Europa League in 2015 and 2016 and even has one Spain cap for good measure.
The Mail (live blog, 9.12am) reports that he is now set to arrive at Craven Cottage. And, with Rico and Fabri in, it seems that Marcus Bettinelli could be heading out.
The England U21 international became Fulham’s number one in 2018 but will fall down the pecking order and it is reported that both Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers are interested.
He would perhaps be an upgrade on the Robins’ inconsistent Frank Fielding while filling the void left by Alex Smithies’ departure at QPR.
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