Fulham close in on Leyton Orient defender

Fulham are poised to complete the signing of defender Gabriel Zakuani from League One side Leyton Orient.

Cottagers boss Chris Coleman is close to agreeing a fee for the 20-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo international and a deal is expected to be finalised early next week.

Zakuani has made 98 appearances for the Os since making his debut as a 16-year-old, and put in a fine display when Martin Ling’s men shocked Fulham in the FA Cup third round last season.

Leyton Orient claim the fee will be a club record, which means it would be more than the £600,000 received for John Chiedozie from Notts County 25 years ago.

Charlton and Watford were also believed to be monitoring Zakuani’s situation.