Spezia have rejected Fulham’s €12m (£10.6m) bid for striker Mbala Nzola, according to reports in France tonight.

The 24 year-old has scored nine goals in thirteen Serie A games during Spezia’s first season in the Italian top flight and has been attracting interest from across Europe, including AC Milan and Lyon. Spezia apparently rejected Fulham’s offer immediately and are hopeful of holding onto the Troyes-born forward until the end of the season. It had been rumoured in the Italian press that the Little Eagles might entertain a sale should a suitor bid around €15m (£13.28m) for Nzola, who has made a significant impression in his first few months amongst the Italian footballing elite.


Fulham, who are desperate to sign a striker before the end of the transfer window, are not the only English club interested in acquiring Nzola. West Ham are closely monitoring developments as they seek a replacement for Sebastien Hellar to provide cover for Michail Antonio. Newcastle and Leeds have also been credited with interest in the powerful striker. Nzola, who can also play wide on the left, scored seven goals in 21 appearances as Spezia won promotion from Serie B last season but has recently been sidelined with a hamstring injury.