Steed Malbranque picture

Reports in the French press have linked Fulham with Lyon's French Under-21 midfielder Steed Malbranque.

Malbranque is an exciting prospect both for Lyon and France and is already earning in the region of £30,000 per month despite his young age.

He became a Lyon regular during the 1998-99 season but only scored his first goal for the club late in 1999 against Rennes.

He was a France youth international , twice winning the French championship at under-15 level (1994, 1995), the French Cup in the Olympique Lyon under-17 side and the amateur French championship with the reserves in 1998.

He was also a part of the France side that finished as runners-up in the 1996 Under-16 European Championship.