Fulham appear to already be preparing for life in the Premier League, with a promotion likely, by eyeing up some experienced top flight talent.

One of the names on their target list for the summer, as reported by Mail+, is Arthur Masuaku.

The defender currently plies his trade for West Ham and has played in over 100 games for the Hammers during his time there, meaning he certainly has the know-how to compete in the Premier League.

Marco Silva may be about to drag his club back into the top division, but he'll want to ensure that his team stay there too and don't just yo-yo up and down between the two leagues. In order to do so, it looks like he's putting plans in place already for some fresh recruits.

Masuaku has played in just 12 league games for his club so far this season, with only five starts to boot. The fact he hasn't really featured in Davies Moyes' plans could mean he is available in the summer for a nominal fee too (although his contract only runs out in 2024).

If West Ham end up recruiting more bodies at the back to boot, then that could really push him down the pecking order and allow him to join a team like Fulham, where he would be guaranteed plenty more gametime than he is receiving now.

He won't be the only name that the Cottagers try and snap up this summer though, as they bid to try and prolong their stay in the top flight.

The Verdict

Marco Silva looks like he is doing the right thing in terms of his recruitment if Masuaku is indeed a target. He shouldn't completely cast out all of the players who have dragged Fulham to the Premier League in the first place but he certainly needs to ensure that there are some experienced top flight veterans in the squad.

Granted, he also shouldn't just sign older, experienced heads. It is vital to have a good blend of youth and wiser players in the team and there have been sides before that have completely overhauled the squad in the summer of a promotion and it has completely backfired.

Marco Silva knows what he needs to keep a team in the Premier League though and considering the potential asking price of the West Ham defender, it could be a shrewd move.

He wouldn't cost an arm and a leg and he has plenty of experience to turn to. He probably won't get much gametime with the Hammers next season either and so a deal to Fulham would benefit the player too.