Fulham have made an offer for Real Betis defender Natan, while also continuing negotiations with Rennes for Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.

That’s according to journalist Santi Aouna. He reports that an offer is now on the table for the Brazilian centre-back.

Natan offer from Fulham

Fulham

Fulham have made an offer for the 25-year-old Real Betis centre-back. There is no mention of the nature of that bid. He is currently valued at €25m by the likes of Transfermarkt.

Sport Witness covered a report on him last month. At that point, it was Leeds United making a renewed bid. They had previously seen a €27m bid rejected by Betis. So, it is easy to imagine that the asking price is above that figure.

Journalist Álvaro Borrego provides information explaining why a deal may be difficult for Fulham, however.

According to him, if Natan remains in Spain, from November he will be able to start the process of becoming an EU citizen. That plays a crucial role in his thinking.

Being an EU citizen will increase his market value, as it reduces the barriers to his signing. Betis also know that, believing they can sell for more in future if he has that status. That’s why, for now, the defender’s idea is to stay in Spain. Only a ‘mindblowing’ offer would change that. He insists no such offer has arrived as yet.

Rennes talks ongoing too

Efforts for Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal have been ongoing for most of this month. Sport Witness covered a report ten days ago explaining that they had made an attempt for the Rennes centre-back.

Foot Mercato reported at the time that Fulham had already seen a bid rejected. That report stated that the player was giving Alvaro Arbeloa’s side hope as he was tempted by the switch to Craven Cottage.

However, Stade Rennais were resisting. They need to sell some players to improve their finances but have no plans to part ways with Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal this summer.

It seems, then, that they face frustration on that front as well. Which is perhaps, why, as Aouna also reports, that Unique Sports have offered Leonardo Balerdi to Fulham this summer.

He currently plays at Marseille, who desperately need sales to balance their books this summer.  Selling the 27-year-ol could help with that and it seems Unique are now offering him around.

He is now a name to keep an eye on too as Fulham’s search for a new centre-back continues.

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