Fulham are confident of closing a £5m deal for Darren Bent with Newcastle United, who have also chased the Aston Villa striker, now intent on taking Loïc Rémy from Queens Park Rangers, initially on loan but with the option to buy.
Martin Jol, the Fulham manager, is keen to sign a partner for Dimitar Berbatov with pace, the ability to stretch defences and goal threat. He has come to consider Bent, with whom he worked briefly at Tottenham Hotspur, as the solution.
The 29-year-old cost Villa a club record £18m rising to £24m when they took him from Sunderland in 2011. He has two years to run on his contract.
Fulham are aware of the need to close the deal quickly or face the prospect of missing out and they hope to see progress on Friday. They have had two offers - the second of £4m - rejected by Villa.