Fulham’s analysts set to bring in Spanish defender

Fulham look set to sign centre-back Marcelo Djalo on the recommendation of the club’s statistical analysis team.

The 23-year-old, who has been playing for Lugo in Spain’s second tier, is pencilled in for a medical and is expected to discuss personal terms later this week.

Djalo has been targeted by the Whites’ analysis department, which is led by vice-chairman and director of football operations Tony Khan and his assistant Craig Kline, who are keen to push ahead with the deal despite reservations from others at the club.

West London Sport revealed last August that head coach Slavisa Jokanovic was at odds with the Fulham hierarchy over the club’s transfer policy.

The Serbian was eventually able to bring in a number of players and led the Whites to the play-offs, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Reading.

The Barcelona-born Djalo began his career with Catalonian side Badalona and then moved to Granada to play for their B team.

He signed for Juventus in 2014 but did not make an appearance for the Italian giants before returning to Granada B on loan. He then had spells with Girona and Murcia before joining Lugo.