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.
How many central defenders do we need. I would have thought cover at left back was much more important there is absolutely no cover should Robinson get injured
Why would they want another left footed CB? I don’t believe it.
No cover at LB? Bassey has played LB more times than CB during his career. We definitely need a CB but a right sided one to replace Tosin.
Is there anyone we’ve not been linked with? I’m not sure but I think you actually have to pay the other team roughly what the player is worth to sign players I don’t think Fulham transfer department are aware of that. If anyone bumps into them please let them know and also let them know that its useful to sign people before preseason.
Breaking news: Fulham invent a whole new stratagy. 1 up front, 1 in midfield and 8 at the back. The way they approach transfers is like shopping with my ex. You dither around looking at everything available but not commiting to buy. Then you go right back to the start and what you want is gone.