Jan Carlo Simic is reportedly the subject of advanced talks between Espanyol and Al-Ittihad, who are negotiating terms ahead of a possible transfer. The defender has long been on the radar of Espanyol, who see him as the perfect addition to their squad as they look to strengthen a key area of the pitch. Progress on talks has been made, though a final agreement is not yet in place and other clubs are said to be weighing-up whether to join the race for his signature. Al-Ittihad have not withdrawn their interest and could still influence the outcome. So far in this season, Espanyol are conceding 1.48 goals a game (37 in 25), more than they'd like compared to the LaLiga standard. The hope is Jan Carlo Simic adds a bit of steel and helps make them tougher to break down. Reports suggest Al-Ittihad are monitoring Raphael Onyedika Nwadike and Khalid Alghannam whereas Espanyol have not been associated with other players at this stage. Stay tuned for more details as the story develops. Need more Espanyol transfer rumours? Follow @PlayerSwitchCom on Twitter for news and updates as they happen.