The story has been there or thereabouts ever since the transfer window opened up its jaws of uncertainty to chew on the weak, but it finally seems the Maxi Lopez saga is reaching a happy conclusion.

Reports in Italy are suggesting that, despite what the English press suggest, Maxi Lopez is interested in joining Fulham and that an offer has been accepted by his club, Catania. The deal is rumoured to be a loan switch, within which Martin Jol will have the option to sign the Argentinian on a permanent deal for approximately £7.5 million.

The forwards agent has been surprisingly coy about his player's chance of moving anywhere in January, but if the reports are to be trusted we may well have landed a pretty respectable player.

Let's hope he's the first of many.