Transfer rumour · archive

Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal to Fulham

This move fell through. Last report: Marc Mechenoua, 30 August 2026.

Fulham have had a €24m bid for Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal rejected, and the situation is now in a holding pattern. The 20-year-old Moroccan defender, under contract in Brittany until June 2028 and valued at around €12m by the market, is reported to be keen on a move to Craven Cottage. Rennes, however, have no intention of selling this summer and have made clear that only an exceptional offer would change their position. Fulham, for their part, are weighing up whether the prize is worth pushing the price into territory that could stretch toward €33m. The story was broken by David Ornstein, one of the most reliable reporters in the business, who confirmed both the bid and its rejection on 5 August. Santi Aouna, a well-sourced Ligue 1 specialist, corroborated the following day that Rennes are holding firm despite financial fair play constraints. Two credible voices, cross-referencing neatly. This is against the odds for now. Fulham know the numbers do not currently work in their favour. The player wants to go, but Rennes have drawn a firm line and Fulham are genuinely unsure whether to test it. Unless Fulham return with a substantially improved offer, the move is unlikely to happen. Fulham have spent in this range before. They paid €26m to sign a player from Everton in 2023, €25m in deals involving Sporting in 2022 and Marseille in 2018, and more recently €30m on a signing from Crystal Palace. An offer toward the top of the €24m to €33m range would therefore sit comfortably within their established transfer footprint. The clearest next step is whether Fulham ret

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