Fulham close in on Boateng
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 7:08 PM | by Matt Carter 
Its no secret that Fulham are in need of midfield reinforcements and if TEAMtalk are to be believed they could be close to adding Ghanian Derek Boateng to their ranks, having now been granted a work permit for the player.
The cottagers have been significantly hampered this term having lost Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu and Moussa Dembele from their squad in the summer window, whilst they also lost the goal scoring exploits of Clint Dempsey.
So this potential signing will come as a welcome relief to a team whose midfield have been as powder-puff as they come this term, particularly away from home where they have been consistently over-powered. Mahamadou Diarra has done a good job when available in the holding player role but his fitness is not what it was and Fulham have been literally screaming out for strength in the middle.
Boateng should provide that much needed steel and physical presence that has been missing to Fulham's game this season, further to this he will add a greater sense of energy and battle to a midfield that has often this season looked a soft touch. If this signing does com to fruition then it will not only be the central midfield that benefits but also the backline which has not been offered the greatest support from the clubs current crop of midfield.
The only down-side to the transfer looks to be African Cup of Nations which would likely mean Boateng not joining his new club until February, but considering what he is likely to add to the side it looks a risk more than worth taking. This looks nothing other than good business for Martin Jol for the signing of Boateng would give his Fulham side everything that they are crying out for; a little bit of menace and bite.
