Birmingham City are in advanced talks to sign Fulham defender Alfie Mawson, Football Insider understands.
Blues boss Lee Bowyer has made the centre-back, 27, a top target this month as he looks to bring in defensive reinforcements.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Birmingham and Fulham are trying to thrash out a deal for Mawson and negotiations are progressing well.
The former Swansea City man is a free agent in the summer when his current contract expires.
He joined Fulham in 2018 for a reported initial fee of £15million.
Mawson has made eight appearances for the Cottagers this term, including six in the Championship.
The Englishman hasn’t featured for the second-tier high-flyers since a one-minute cameo against Peterborough in November.
The defender spent last season on loan at Bristol City but made just 14 appearances after suffering two long-term knee injuries.
Mawson came through the ranks at Brentford but made just one senior appearance before moving to Barnsley in 2015.
The serial loanee has played across all four English divisions in a career spanning 266 games.
He is behind Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo at Craven Cottage, who have established themselves as first-choice for the league leaders.
Birmingham sit nine points clear of the Championship drop zone following their draw against Preston on Saturday.