The summer transfer window has been in full swing for a number of weeks now. The infamous ‘money circus’ has already been the source of raised eyebrows and elation for fans across Europe.

Arguably the most considerable move thus far has been Manchester City’s capture of Bernardo Silva from Monaco for a seismic £43m in May. This is, unsurprisingly, set to be the first of many stars moving across the English Channel this summer.

Benjamin Mendy is set to follow in former team-mate Silva’s footsteps, Chelsea have made no secret of their interest in Tiemoué Bakayoko and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette could just about end up anywhere – although Arsenal are favourites to sign him with SkyBet.

The biggest headlines are normally reserved for attacking starlets such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dimitri Payet and Anthony Martial. However, one of the off-season’s most intriguing acquisitions could be a centre-half from the second division.

Earlier this week, reports from RMC suggested that both Fulham and newly-promoted Huddersfield Town were interested in signing an accomplished Ligue 2 centre-back by the name of Julian Jeanvier.

Background:

Julian Jeanvier originates from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe but was born in the small commune of Clichy in northern France – a suburb of Paris located on the infamous River Seine – on 31 March 1992.

The 25-year-old, like so many, was trained at the prestigious Clairefontaine as a young boy and caught the attention of some important figures. Jeanvier was eventually acquired by Nancy, his first professional club, and began to progress through the ranks at the Stade Marcel Picot.

After numerous appearances for Nancy B, the youngster finally made his debut for the first team in January 2013 at the age of 20. He played the full 90 minutes at centre-back as Les Chardons completed a 5-1 drubbing of lowly FC Drouais in the Coupe de France. Jeanvier made his league debut just a week later.

Julian Jeanvier in his younger days at ASNL.

In total, the athletic defender made 10 appearances for the first-team that season but it only took five matches for the elite of France’s domestic game to come calling. All of Lyon, Marseille and Lille were said to be interested, but the latter secured the player’s signature for just £383,000.

Jeanvier struggled in his first season at Lille and went the entire season without making a senior appearance for his new club. In an interview upon signing, the player said he joined without hesitation to be apart of a project with fellow young professionals. However, Jeanvier never got his chance in a Lille shirt and was then shipped out to Belgium Pro League outfit Royal Excel Mouscron for the 2013/14 campaign.

Jeanvier returned the following summer but was again sent on loan – this time to Ligue 2’s Red Star. With his boyhood club, the defender scored his first two goals in French football and was able to cut his teeth in a league where he would go onto excel.

After consistent spells in the starting line-up with Red Star, Jeanvier sought playing time away from Lille and opted to join Stade de Reims on a free transfer last year. The defender penned a two-year deal with the two-time European Cup finalists and has the option to extend at the end of his current contract.

With just a year to go on his deal, it seems Reims will have to sell for a profit in the coming months or potentially allow their star to leave for free next year. Playing 26 matches and scoring three goals, both a record high for Jeanvier in a single season, the number 23 was included in the Ligue 2 Team of the Year due to a number of fantastic performances.

Style:

At 6’0” tall and weighing 84kg, Jeanvier has been an imposing figure at the back for all of his former sides. A right-footed centre-half who has also played at right-back, Jeanvier has had experience playing in a back three/five and a back four.

Despite the connotations that come with a large physique, Jeanvier is adequately capable on the ball and is often found passing out from the back even in tight situations. Like fellow countryman Laurent Koscielny, one of Jeanvier’s main strengths are interceptions and he likes to step up to pressurise forwards with their back to goal.

One of Jeanvier's strengths is short passing. — One of Jeanvier’s strengths is short passing.

He rarely slides in to make challenges, often relying on his strength and defensive intelligence to win the ball back from opponents. However, according to WhoScored, the player’s biggest weaknesses include the timing of his tackles and aerial duels. In the last two years, Jeanvier has picked up 12 yellow cards and three reds.

Jeanvier has been known to score goals – five in his last 53 Ligue 2 outings – and is a threat from set-pieces. He is rarely injured and fans are impressed by his commitment to the club when on the pitch.

What would he offer Fulham and Huddersfield?

Huddersfield and Fulham were two of the Championship’s best sides last term as both finished in the top six. Ultimately, the Terriers were the ones to secure promotion via the play-offs with the Londoners falling to Reading over two legs in the semi-finals.

Both will be looking to replace players and strengthen at the back before the start of the upcoming league campaign. Jeanvier would be an astute signing by either of the two clubs and a cheap one at that, with TransferMarkt valuing the player at just over £1m – a steal in the current climate.

Wagner and Jokanovic could both benefit by signing the Frenchman.

One club offers the Premier League, the other offers an opportunity to live in London – both offer fluid and attractive football.

Huddersfield have caught the attentions of many due to their high-pressure play implemented by Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant, David Wagner. Centre-backs are highly important in this system and, due to an inherent desire to press the opposition and progress possession, Jeanvier would seemingly fit in well in Yorkshire. Normally clever in the transfer window, it is easy to see why the Frenchman is on their radar.

Meanwhile, Fulham seem set to lose out on securing Tomas Kalas on loan for another year as the impressive defender looks set to return to parent club Chelsea. The 24-year-old will, of course, need replacing by Slavisa Jokanovic and company.

Fulham played some of the best football in England’s second division last season due to their attacking style. The Whites scored the most goals, produced the most shots, had the highest average possession and best pass accuracy in the league.

Their forward-thinking full-backs and roaming central midfielders mean they are susceptible to conceding goals, leaving the central defenders exposed. As a result, the likes of Tim Ream and Kalas made poor mistakes at times throughout last term.

Jokanovic also plays a high line and pressing system which, as explained earlier, Jeanvier could adapt to.

Jeanvier alone is unlikely to change the lack of clean sheets too drastically at Craven Cottage but would strengthen the squad for little money. The losses of Kalas and potentially the coveted Ryan Sessegnon will leave a hole in the back line that Jeanvier could help fill.

Recently-promoted Strasburg are also said to be interested in the talented player and it would not be unreasonable to assume Jeanvier would want to stay in his native France to prove himself at the top of their football pyramid. Will the lure of England prove too strong for yet another Frenchman? Only time will tell.