Fulham are set to ask for Stewart Downing as part of the Clint Dempsey deal.

As much as Martin Jol would love to keep US international Dempsey at Craven Cottage, it looks increasingly likely that the player will leave.

The 29-year-old is in the final year of his contract, and having not travelled to Switzerland on their pre-season tour, he has been tipped to join Liverpool in the coming days.

However, Jol won’t make life easy for the Anfield club, and he will ask them for England international winger Downing as part of the deal.

The former Aston Villa man had a disappointing season on Merseyside last term, but the Cottagers would still have to pay a fee for the swap transaction.