Transfer news: Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz may cut losses and head to Real Betis

The Costa Rica international has fallen out of favour

Bryan Ruiz has started just one match under Rene Meulensteen (Richard Sellers/Getty Images)

Bryan Ruiz could be the first casualty of Rene Meulensteen and Alan Curbishley's new regime at Fulham, with the Costa Rican forward set to join the struggling Spanish side Real Betis on loan for the rest of the season.

Ruiz, who was signed from FC Twente for £10.6m in August 2011, has started just one match – the 6-0 thrashing at Hull City – since Meulensteen succeeded Martin Jol at Craven Cottage and has been told he is likely to play a bit-part role in their relegation battle.

Reports in Spain suggest Betis will pay £800,000 to take him on loan. "At this moment, there is no agreement but that could change in a matter of seconds," his agent, Rene Vijt, told The Independent.

Cardiff City have made an official approach to sign Hannover's Senegalese international striker Mame Biram Diouf. New manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer worked with him at Molde.

Diouf, who would cost around £2.5m, was reportedly fined for missing training on two successive days this week. He has scored five goals in 12 Bundesliga appearances this season and could be joined by Norway international Mats Moller Daehli, also at Molde.

Sunderland are close to making Estudiantes defender Santiago Vergini their second signing of the transfer window. Manager Gus Poyet is interested in two other Argentines – goalkeeper Mariano Andujar, at Serie A club Catania, and Internacional's midfielder Ignacio Scocco.