Striker Defrel would be an upgrade on Kamara in Fulham’s survival push

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Fulham are one of three Premier League clubs chasing Sampdoria striker Gregoire Defrel in this month’s transfer window, according to Sky Italia.

The French hitman has bagged seven goals across all competitions this season and that has reportedly attracted Claudio Ranieri’s attention as he seeks to add firepower to the Cottagers’ bid to beat relegation.

Ranieri will apparently have to fend off competition from London rivals Watford and West Ham, who may have the edge in the chase because they are not in immediate danger of relegation this season.

But the Whites manager is plainly desperate for a new attacking dimension; he lined up Bournemouth’s Lys Mousset last month before being rebuffed by Eddie Howe and has also eyed a reunion with Nantes striker Emiliano Sala.

Aleksandar Mitrovic was the undisputed first choice striker under his Serbian countryman Slavisa Jokanovic but Ranieri has thrown Aboubakar Kamara into the fray up front for something different since taking over.

Kamara has shown both the best and worst of his game; he has grabbed three goals but also displayed incredible petulance and selfishness to seize a penalty against Huddersfield last month, only to miss and nearly cost his side the win.

Ranieri’s angry reaction was well-publicised and his frantic striker search shows he knows he needs a better option than Kamara and that’s exactly what Defrel – based on his form in Italy – would be, if Fulham can beat the chasing pack to his signature.