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Report: Fulham close to loan move for Sevilla’s Sergio Rico

Slavisa Jokanovic, manager of FulhaFulham looks on before the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Bristol City at Craven Cottage on Octob...
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Fulham are reportedly close to signing Sevilla’s Sergio Rico.

Sergio Rico of Sevilla FC looks on prior to the La Liga match between Celta de Vigo and Sevilla at Balaidos Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Vigo, Spain.

According to a report by AS, Fulham are close to agreeing a season-long loan deal for Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

The report claims an obligated purchase clause in the loan contract hasn’t been set yet, but Sevilla are seemingly happy to allow him to leave following the arrival of shot-stopper Tomas Vaclik from Basel.

Rico, a two-time Europa League winner with the club, has made over La Liga 100 starts for Sevilla including 40 appearances in all competitions last season.

The 24-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most promising goalkeepers in Spain, and it was only 12 months ago Premier League side Liverpool were said to be keen on bringing him to Anfield.

A report in ABC de Sevilla cited the Reds’ interest in the player, but Sevilla weren’t willing to sell him for a penny less than his £26 million release clause such was his importance to the Andalusian club.

Sergio Rico of Sevilla FC, Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona  during the La Liga Santander  match between Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on March 31, 2018 in...

But now it seems the La Liga side are happy to move him on with his situation at the club described as ‘untenable’ by the report in AS, despite the rapture he holds with the supporters.

Fulham have already signed a goalkeeper this summer in Fabricio from Besiktas, but Rico is arguably a class above and perhaps boss Slavisa Jokanovic sees it as an opportunity not to be missed.

The Cottagers are looking to consolidate themselves in the top-flight following their promotion from the Championship, and they’ve made a fist of it this summer having spent over £60 million already.

Nabil El Zhar of Leganes and  Sergio Rico goalkeeper of Sevilla look on during the La Liga match between Leganes and Sevilla at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on March 18, 2018 in Leganes,...