Fulham right-back Ryan Fredericks will become the first signing of Manuel Pellegrini’s tenure as West Ham manager, reports Sky Sports.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Crystal Palace and West Ham since the turn of the year after impressing in the Championship last season.
Fredericks’ current Fulham deal is due to expire this summer but it was thought he would renew with the Cottagers after the club secured promotion to the Premier League last month.
However, it has now emerged that Fredericks has chosen to join West Ham and is expected to put pen to paper on a reported four-year deal by the start of next week.
Pellegrini will have money to spend this summer but is kicking off his tenure with the free signing of Fredericks, after earmarking the defender as a long-term replacement for Pablo Zabaleta.
Fredericks only missed two league games for Fulham last season, but was lucky to avoid a red card in their playoff final win over Aston Villa after appearing to stamp on Jack Grealish.
Only Barry Douglas (14) managed more assists of all defenders in the Championship than Fredericks (7) last season.
