Leicester City fullback Timothy Castagne is close to joining Fulham and will move to Craven Cottage before the transfer window closes next Friday, according to reports.
Castagne has not featured at all for the Foxes in a competitive game under new head coach Enzo Maresca this season, although the Belgium international did get onto the bench at the weekend during a 2-1 win away against Rotherham United.
The former Atalanta man has been linked with a return to Italy as Juventus were reportedly one of three clubs interested in his signature, alongside Premier League giants Arsenal and Marco Silva’s Fulham.
However, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Cottagers are set to come out on top, despite Castagne leaning towards signing for Juventus.
Speaking to the media earlier in the month, Fulham head coach Silva hinted that the squad needed to be strengthened in the fullback area [quotes via Football FanCast]:
“Unfortunately, we need many still. We have some important players injured.
“I hope they can come sooner. We have just two fullbacks, we need a midfielder too and we have just two wingers so we need another two wingers.”
Castagne moved to the King Power Stadium in the summer of 2020 and helped Leicester City to win the FA Cup in 2021 in a 1-0 win against Chelsea while finishing fifth in the league.
Nevertheless, the Foxes were relegated last season and there is a feeling that the wingback is too good for the Championship.
Fulham have signed Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez and Calvin Bassey this summer and Castagne may be the fourth and final addition for the London club before the transfer window closes this coming Friday.
Writer’s View
Castagne is certainly too good for the Championship. However, the Foxes are on an incredible run of form at the moment, sitting pretty at the top of the league and have not missed the Belgian thus far.
Nevertheless, Castagne’s ability to play both on the right and left as well as his versatility to be a winger, wingback and fullback will make him a very astute addition for Fulham this season.
