Premier League overachievers Fulham are on the verge of strengthening their defensive depth under Marco Silva after the Cottagers close in on a completed deal for versatile Belgian international full-back Timothy Castagne.
The 27-year-old defender was earmarked as one of a cadre of Leicester City stars that was likely to depart this summer after the Foxes failed to avoid the drop to the Championship in the wake of a woeful 202-23 Premier League campaign, with his exile from the English top flight nearly at an end.
Per Fabrizio Romano, Fulham have splashed £13m for the Arlon-born defender, giving Marco Silva what logically will be assumed is an upgrade on current starting right-back Kenny Tete.
Timothy Castagne, completing final part of medical tests as new Fulham player in London — permanent transfer from Leicester ⚪️⚫️🇧🇪 #FulhamFC
Personal terms agreed, fee in excess of £13m… and here we go 🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/ETInWWjcYH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2023
Despite their late 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the weekend and an opening day 1-0 win over relegation-candidates Everton, Fulham have started the 2023-24 campaign poorly from a defensive perspective, already allowing over 60 opposition shots and looking incredibly exposed in their defensive third.
Castagne, who made 112 appearances for Leicester across a three-year spell at the KP Stadium since his arrival in the summer of 2020 from Serie A neutral-favorite Atalanta Bergamasca, offers plenty of experience at club and international level with which Silva could shore up concerns at the back before things potentially get out of hand for the Cottagers.
With a Saturday clash against champions Manchester City at the weekend, it’s unclear if Castage will feature considering he has yet to log any minutes this season despite Leicester logging four Championship matches, posting a 4-0-0 record to top the table early doors.
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