His present club Torino visit Craven Cottage this weekend for a pre-season friendly and the Italian side's coach admits it is an opportunity for the player to take a first hand look at the English game.

Coach Gianni De Biasi told Goal.com: "They are certainly ahead of us in the preparations, but I'm still hoping to see some progress especially in our fitness.

"David Di Michele? He's out, he has some physical problems so he won't be a part of this game. Vincent Grella? He wants to measure himself with the English league."

Fulham already boast Aussies Mark Schwarzer and Adrian Leijer with Roy Hodgson still on the look out for a midfielder.

Blackburn Rovers have also been linked with a move for Grella as well as Socceroos colleague Mark Bresciano.