Championship outfit Fulham are closing in on the signing of Braga forward Rui Fonte for a fee of around €9 million, reports Portuguese newspaper Record.

The 27-year-old only moved to the Primeira Liga side last year following a decent loan spell at the club the season before, in which time he scored eight goals and laid on three assists in just 28 games for the team, helping them to a fourth place finish in the Portuguese top-flight.

And the former Portugal Under-21 international took it up another level last season with 15 goals and three assists in all competitions, inspiring them to a fifth place finish in the division and thus the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Fonte netted in that clash against AIK Solna to help them reach the play-off round earlier this month, but that could be one of the last games he plays for Braga, as recent reports suggest that Slavisa Jokanovic’s Fulham are closing in on a move for the Portuguese striking hotshot.

The Cottagers lost out to Reading in the Championship play-off semi-finals last term but have been widely tipped to go one better this time round, and have made a solid if unspectacular start in that quest with three draws from their first three games.

But with a stalemate against Leeds United on Tuesday night, it appears that the forward ranks need bolstering if Jokanovic’s men are to challenge at the right end of the division once again, so bringing in someone who scored 15 goals last season and two already this term could be exactly what they need.

It has been reported that the two sides have struck up a deal believed to be worth €9 million, a move which could seriously bolster Fulham’s quest to return to the Premier League this season.

The Verdict: Only six players scored more goals than Braga’s Rui Fonte in the Primeira Liga last season, five of which play for the ‘Big Three’ in the Portuguese top-flight.

Thus, interest in the 27-year-old’s services this summer was hardly a surprise, and with Fulham likely eyeing up attacking reinforcements after seeing Chris Martin return to Derby over the summer, their interest is hardly a surprise either.

The Cottagers were flat in both play-off semi-final legs against Reading last season but certainly have the quality in the squad to achieve promotion back to the Premier League - it’s just about making the difference at the key times.

And bringing in someone like Fonte, who has scored goals in one of Europe’s top-flights as well as in European competition, could be the missing piece in the Fulham jigsaw.

Fulham fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!