Fulham are interested in signing the Stade Rennais centre back Arthur Theate, according to reports from France, but will have to do battle with Liverpool in order to secure the defender’s signature.

Theate enjoyed a superb first season in Ligue 1 after moving to Rennes from Bologna for £17m in a deal that made him the most expensive Belgian defender of all time. He overcame the setback of scoring an own goal on his debut to shine at the heart of Les Rennais rearguard that conceded just thirty goals as they finished fourth in the French top flight. Theate, widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the division, earned particular plaudits for making Lionel Messi out of the game as Bruno Génésio’s side beat Paris Saint Germain 1-0 in January.

French sports daily L’Equipe links Fulham and Liverpool with a move this morning. Theate, who has won eight senior caps for Belgium, came through the Standard Liege youth system but gained his first taste of senior football after a successful trial at Oostende, where he made a total of 40 appearances and scored five goals before moving to Italy, initially on loan with Bologna.