Fulham representatives were in Rennes on Sunday as they continue to chase a deal for Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal.
Tuesday’s print edition of L’Equipe explains interest in the 20-year-old centre-back is growing, particularly after his performance in the recent 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
The plan at the French club is for Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal to replace Jeremy Jacquet in their defence this summer following the latter’s move to Liverpool. That may be difficult as interest in him is growing.
Fulham interest growing
The Premier League club have been officially interested for several weeks. Sport Witness have already reported on their growing interest.
A report at the beginning of the month explained that Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal was interested in the move to Craven Cottage. A second report then explained Fulham were readying a second transfer attempt.
Fulham have already made an offer of €20m for the defender.
In fact, representatives of the club were in Rennes again on Sunday to explore a deal.
Rennes uninterested as of now
Rennes have made it clear that they have no intention of letting the centre-back go. That stance would change if Fulham were to make an ‘irrational’ offer. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side do not seem capable of making such a bid at present.
There is no mention of the price the French side would sell for at this point. Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal is a product of their youth system after joining from AM Football in 2015.
They’re set for a major profit in any sale, then, with Transfermarkt currently valuing the defender at €12m. It’s very unlikely that’s the figure Rennes are looking at, though, particularly with a Premier League side like Fulham chasing his signature.
The onus, it seems, is on Arbeloa and co to come up with a price and try to convince Rennes into a sale.
At this point, it seems they’ve not been able to achieve that.
