Fulham have joined the chase to sign Lyon’s out-of-favour striker Tony Vairelles, according to the French press.
Bastia looked like favourites to land the former France international but Fulham manager Jean Tigana is believed to have got in touch with Lyon boss Jacques Santini, about the 28-year-old striker. Tigana wants a new front man to complete his summer spending and Fulham’s squad numbers for their return to the top flight after more than three decades in the wilderness left the number nine shirt unassigned.
Fulham have already signed Steed Malbranque from Lyon this summer, with the French under-21 international signing a five-year contract at Craven Cottage in a £5m deal. Santini isn’t interested in playing Vairelles after the pair’s squabbles last season saw him formed out to Bordeaux in January. Vairelles didn’t even feature for the reserve side against Tours on Sunday.
Didier Deschamps’ Marseille are believed to be keen on hijacking Fulham’s move for Vairelles, who is best known on these shores for being shown a red card at Wembley against the Gunners in the Champions’ League in November 1998, which led to Vairelles being sent off and the full-back accused of cheating.
Didier Deschamps and his struggling Monaco side are also reported to be interested in Vairelles.
