Fulham are reportedly ready to lock horns with Crystal Palace and Leeds United in the race to sign 1.FC Koln starlet Timo Hubers.
According to a report from Football Insider, the race to sign Timo Hubers is really shaping up nicely. Leeds United were primarily the club linked with a move for the 1.FC Koln defender, with Jesse Marsch rating him highly, having watched him in action closely in the Bundesliga.
However, it appears the Whites are set to face fresh competition from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Fulham in the pursuit of Hubers. Fulham are the latest club to join the chase, as they look to beef up their defensive options after successfully gaining promotion back to the top flight.
The London giants have done an excellent in the Championship this term, boasting one of the meanest defences in the league while racking up almost 100 goals. However, it appears coach Marco Silva is looking to add more proven quality to the side as he looks to help Fulham survive in the Premier League.
Especially in the defensive unit, the Cottagers certainly require an upgrade over the likes of Tim Ream, Michael Hector and Terence Kongolo, and that is where Timo Hubers could prove to be an excellent option.
In addition to Fulham, the 25-year-old Koln centre-back, who has made a solid impression in the Bundesliga this season, has been targeted by Crystal Palace. The Eagles do have two of the league’s finest young defenders in the form of Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi, but there is an apparent dearth of reliable alternatives for the two.
As for Leeds United, their struggles with injuries to key defensive stars such as Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and even Robin Koch have been well documented.
In an attempt to solve the issue, new Leeds coach Marsch is looking to add more depth in the defensive unit. And in Timo Hubers, the American tactician could find himself an ideal defender, who has earned a reputation for his dogged defensive qualities and an imposing 1.90m frame.
Hubers’s formidable defensive partnership with Luca Kilian has been central to Koln’s success this term. But it appears the 25-year-old is now set to leave the Cathedral city in the coming summer, with the defender reportedly having a release clause worth only £6.7 million, potentially making him nothing short of an absolute bargain for Fulham, Crystal Palace and Leeds United.