Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC are in advanced talks with Premier League club Fulham to sign USMNT defender Tim Ream, TopBin90 first reported it.
According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, no deal has been made for the defender. Ream has made 312 appearances for Fulham since signing for 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 made just five of the club's last 18 appearances.
Ream was named in Gregg Berhalter's training squad for the Copa America and friendlies against Colombia and Brazil. He joins teammate Antonee Robinson on the roster. Ream has 56 caps for the United States, playing in all four of the USMNT's 2022 World Cup games in Qatar.
Marco Silva has preferred Tosin Adarabioyo and Calvin Bassey as Fulham's back two for the latter half of the season. Adarabioyo is leaving Fulham on a free transfer this summer, so Ream's departure will mark a major change in Fulham's defensive progression and options.
Charlotte FC, under former Aston Villa and Norwich City manager Dean Smith, have started well in the MLS, losing just one of their last seven games. Charlotte is currently fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference. Adding Ream will strengthen a defense that has allowed the fourth fewest goals in Mpumalanga so far this season. Ream not only brings a wealth of experience, but also leadership as he captained Fulham in 12 of the club's first 13 games.
Charlotte have also been linked with a possible move for former Borussia Dortmund player Marco Reus, although the LA Galaxy have reportedly reached an agreement with the club over Reus' acquisition rights.
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