Fulham are ready to extend Kenny Tete's contract by a year to maintain his value should any overseas clubs try to poach him in January.
The Cottagers want to keep the defender, whose current deal expires in the summer, and triggering their option to extend to July 2025 would drive up any future sale price.
Fulham will only use the optional extension clause should the 28-year-old right-back discuss pre-contract terms with another club, which he is permitted to do so from this month.
Tete, who joined Fulham from Lyon in 2020, has lost his starting berth to summer signing Timothy Castagne since returning from a groin injury in November.
Fulham will prioritise attacking positions in the January transfer window, although they are not expected to make many signings.
In terms of outgoings, Mexican side Monterrey have cooled interest in striker Carlos Vinicius, while teenage midfielder Luke Harris has gone on loan to Exeter City for the rest of the season.
Manager Marco Silva said on Thursday: “It’s probably going to be a quiet month. We are talking and seeing what we can do from a financial point of view during this window.
“The next few days will be clearer. [Then] I can speak more about it. It’s everything together. I’m sure our financial condition, even if I’m not an expert, should be much better than when I joined the club. Let’s see what we can do during this market.”
Fulham begin their FA Cup campaign on Saturday when they host Rotherham United, who are rooted to the bottom of the Championship.
Tim Ream and Adama Traore remain injured, while Fode Ballo-Toure, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey have already left for the Africa Cup of Nations.
