Like Kevin McDonald and Neeskens Kabano, Floyd Ayite was one of the players most negatively affected by Fulham’s £100 million summer splurge.

The 30-year-old forward was a key player as Slavisa Jokanovic led the Cottagers to the Premier League last season, scoring four times in 24 Championship starts.

But Ayite has found first-team minutes hard to come by in the top flight, particularly since Jokanovic was replaced by the veteran Italian Claudio Ranieri.

The former Bastia forward has only made three league appearances under Ranieri, stuck behind Andre Schurrle, Luciano Vietto and co in the pecking order, though he did start the FA Cup third round defeat to Oldham Athletic a week ago.

As a result, France Football claims that Ayite wants to leave Fulham in the January transfer window with a return to France in his sights. Caen are understood to be leading the chase but Ligue 1 rivals Bordeaux are also interested.

And it would be little surprise if Fulham let the Togo international leave, given that he hardly looks like a key part of Ranieri’s plans at present.

Ayite has just six months left on his contract at Craven Cottage, though the relegation threatened side have the option to extend it by a further year.