Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri is eager to sign Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater.

The Mirror says Fulham are trying to send Timothy Fosu-Mensah back to Manchester United to free up a loan space for Chelsea outcast Drinkwater.

Ranieri is desperate to be reunited with Drinkwater at Craven Cottage and Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is willing to let the £35million flop leave Stamford Bridge.

But Fulham need to free up a loan slot to make room for Drinkwater and have asked United to cut short Fosu-Mensah's season-long loan.

Drinkwater, 28, was part of Ranieri's Premier League title-winning side in 2016 and the Italian feels he could help the Cottagers' desperate relegation fight.