Fulham transfer target keen on Craven Cottage move as £20m first offer tabled | OneFootball

Alvaro Arbeloa pushing for more signings after deal for Real Madrid duo

Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal is interested in a move to Fulham, who saw a £20million bid for his services rejected.

Standard Sport understands, however, that Fulham are unlikely to return with a second offer for the Morocco international as they assess other options.

Ait Boudlal, 20, is a highly-regarded prospect, and Rennes are keen to keep the young defender having already lost Jeremy Jacquet to Liverpool this summer.

Fulham are in the market for a new centre-back following the departure of Issa Diop to newly-promoted Ipswich last month.

The club held an interest in Trabzonspor’s Chibuike Nwaiwu as well as English defender Charlie Cresswell before the latter joined Rennes from Toulouse earlier this week.

Their attention has now turned to other targets, with new manager Alvaro Arbeloa keen to bolster his backline ahead of the Premier League season.

Fulham have already spent a combined £42.5m to sign Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid and are also close to sealing a deal for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.

Moving on: Fulham are unlikely to make a second bid for Rennes defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal

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Standard Sport understands that a deal for Charles is not yet finalised but is edging closer, with Fulham having fought off interest from Leeds for the 22-year-old.

Were Charles to join Fulham as expected, it would pave the way for Ipswich to pursue their interest in Sasa Lukic.

The Tractor Boys are keen on a move for the Serbian international, while Fulham would be open to cashing in on a player who is entering the final year of his contract.