Fulham are 15/2 to be relegated from the Premier League next season but they should be nowhere near the drop zone as they close in on a deal for Martin Jol.

The Cottagers are stepping up their pursuit of Jol as they try to replace Roy Hodgson, and it looks as though they are closing in on their man after it was revealed the former Tottenham boss is ready to quit Ajax.

Jol has always been high on Fulham’s wanted list but there was always a big question mark over whether he would be willing to walk away from the Dutch giants.

The chance to return to the Premier League would always be tempting to Jol, but it would also take a lot to walk away from a club like Ajax who will be in the Champions League next season.

However it seems as though Ajax are unwilling to give Jol the kind of backing he wants in the transfer market this summer and that could result in him jumping ship to Fulham.

“My understanding is that talks have already begun with Fulham,” Ajax youth coach Arnold Muhren revealed. “I wouldn’t blame him if he left. Fulham is a good club. They play good football and they reached the Europa League final last year.

“Maybe he is thinking that there are better prospects for him at Fulham. If he thinks he can’t win the Dutch league at Ajax then he might leave.”

Replacing Hodgson was always going to be an almost impossible job but Jol could prove to be a very good appointment for Fulham if they can wrap up a deal.

Jol took Spurs to the verge of the Champions League before he was ousted and he has what it takes to continue all the good work that Hodgson did at the Cottage.

If Jol is to take charge he will wants assuarnces over how much money he will have to spend and he will also want to make sure there is no need to cash in on the likes of Brede Hangeland and Bobby Zamora.

Fulham are hoping to land Jol in the next few days and it looks as though he is almost certain to be in charge when the Cottagers kick off the season at Bolton on August 14th. (15/8 to win).

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