Fulham step up Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal pursuit after €20m offer

Fulham are continuing their push to sign Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal, with club representatives reportedly travelling to France on Sunday as they explore a late deal.

The Premier League side have already submitted a €20million offer for the highly-rated 20-year-old, but Rennes remain reluctant to sell.

According to L’Equipe, Fulham officials were present in Rennes over the weekend as their interest in Aït-Boudlal intensifies.

The defender has attracted further attention following an impressive performance in Rennes’ recent 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain.

Fulham have been pursuing him for several weeks and have already tested Rennes with a €20m proposal.

Importantly, Aït-Boudlal is reportedly open to joining Fulham, giving Alvaro Arbeloa’s side encouragement that an agreement with the player should be achievable if they can convince Rennes.

The major obstacle remains Rennes’ position.

The Ligue 1 club currently have no intention of selling the Moroccan defender, particularly after Jeremy Jacquet’s move to Liverpool.

Rennes see Aït-Boudlal as the player capable of replacing Jacquet in their defence, making another departure particularly difficult to accept this late in the transfer window.

However, their position is not completely immovable.

L’Equipe reports an “irrational” offer could change their minds, although there is currently no indication Fulham are prepared to reach that level.

No specific asking price has been revealed, meaning Fulham must effectively determine how far they are prepared to go to test Rennes’ resolve.

Aït-Boudlal came through Rennes’ youth system after arriving from AM Football in 2015, meaning any major transfer would represent a significant profit for the French club.

His current market valuation is considerably below Fulham’s €20m offer, but Rennes’ sporting situation means his importance to them goes far beyond that figure.

With the deadline approaching, Fulham must now decide whether to return with an improved proposal or pursue another defensive target.

Fulham must decide whether to significantly improve their €20m offer and put Rennes under serious pressure before the transfer deadline.

Aït-Boudlal’s willingness to consider the move gives Fulham an important advantage, but convincing Rennes remains the difficult part.

Unless Arbeloa’s side return with a proposal the French club consider too good to reject, Rennes appear determined to keep the defender for the season.