Fulham have opened discussions with Galatasaray over bringing Ryan Babel back to Craven Cottage, according to reports from Turkey.

The former Liverpool winger enjoyed a successful short-term spell with Fulham when he joined from Besiktas in January 2019, scoring five goals in sixteen games, but his exploits were not enough to prevent the Whites from an immediate return to the Championship. The Dutch international subsequently signed for Galatasaray but endured a difficult start to his career with the Turkish giants and was loaned out to former club Ajax for the second half of the season.

Galatasaray’s failure to qualify for Europe means they are likely to trim their squad of some of their highest wage earners and Babel’s agent has been in touch with a number of potential suitors, according to media reports. The 33 year-old would bring significant top flight experience to Fulham’s squad, having made 146 appearances in four years with Liverpool, and has spoken positively of his time in London. He featured impressively during Scott Parker’s caretaker tenure towards the end of the 2018-2019 season – but it remains to be seen whether the Whites can complete a deal.