Championship side Fulham could face a fight to keep hold of Costa Rica playmaker Bryan Ruiz, according to Portuguese newspaper "La Nacion".

The paper are claiming that third-placed Sporting Lisbon, who have earned a place in the Champions League qualifying round next season, have been in talks with the player over a potential transfer.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder was sent out on loan to Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven as the Cottagers were relegated two seasons ago, but returned as an important part of Fulham's squad this term after impressing at the World Cup.

Ruiz scored against Italy and Greece as the minnows made their unexpected way to the quarter-finals of the tournament in Brazil last summer, and has performed well in a disappointing season at Craven Cottage.

With eight goals and five assists in 34 games, fans would be loathe to lose Ruiz as Kit Symons targets an improved season next time around.

However, the club are reportedly aware of a possible transfer away for the player, who signed a one-year extension to his current contract a little over two weeks ago.

While many expect that such a deal was put in place purely to bring in a bigger transfer fee for the club, manager Symons expects the playmaker to honour his contract professionally.

“The business and the football side need to come together,” he told the club’s website.

“Bryan was an expensive acquisition for us and on our business model we didn’t just want him to walk away for nothing.

“Bryan didn’t want to be here last season and he doesn’t want to be here now, he’s made that clear, but he’s a very good player for this football club and we can’t afford to let people just walk away.

“He’s a professional, he’ll come back here and acquit himself well and be another good player for my squad.”