Charlotte FC and Fulham in advanced talks for USMNT defender - report

Major League Soccer team Charlotte FC is in advanced talks with Premier League club Fulham to sign USMNT defender Tim Ream, TopBin90 first reported.

According to The Athletic's Tom Bogert, a deal is not yet done for the defender. Ream has made 312 appearances for Fulham since signing with the club in 2015. Ream appeared in 13 of Fulham's first 15 games of the 2023/24 Premier League Season before suffering a calf injury. After returning, he only played in five of the club's last 18 games.

Ream was named to Gregg Berhalter's Copa America training camp roster with friendlies against Colombia and Brazil scheduled. He joins club teammate Antonee Robinson on the roster. Ream has 56 caps for the United States, playing in all four of the USMNT's games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Marco Silva preferred Tosin Adarabioyo and Calvin Bassey as Fulham's backline duo for the last half of the season. Adarabioyo is leaving Fulham on a free transfer this summer, so Ream leaving would mark a major change in Fulham's defensive continuity and options.

Charlotte FC, under former Aston Villa and Norwich City manager Dean Smith, are off to a strong start in MLS losing just one of its last seven games. Charlotte is currently fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference. Adding Ream would strengthen a defense that's conceded the fourth-least amount of goals in the East so far this season. Ream not only brings a ton of experience, but also leadership as he was Fulham's captain in the club's first 12 of 13 games.

Charlotte has also been linked with a potential move for former Borussia Dortmund player Marco Reus, though LA Galaxy reportedly reached an agreement with the club for Reus' discovery rights.

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