EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Chelsea are ready to grant Gary Cahill a free transfer to enable him to make his move to Fulham, Football Insider understands.

Fulham were initially keen to sign the 6ft 4in centre-back (source: Transfermarkt) on loan from Chelsea, but the Cottagers are unable to make any more loan signings from any of their Premier League rivals as they already have two players on loan from Premier League clubs in the shape of Arsenal’s Callum Chambers and Timothy Fosu Mensah from Manchester United.

The loan situation was holding up any move for Cahill, but now Chelsea are ready to let him leave for free as reward for his seven year service to the club after joining from Bolton in January 2012.

Cahill is in the final six months of his contract at Chelsea and is keen to move on in search of regular first-team football after finding himself out of favour under Maurizio Sarri.

The 33-year-old has made only one appearance for Chelsea in the Premier League this season with another six in the cup competitions.

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri is desperate to bolster his defence during this month’s transfer window with the club having the worst defensive record in the Premier League so far this season with 47 goals conceded in 21 games.

In other Premier League giants transfer news, the club are close to sealing a winger deal.