Fulham have opened negotiations for Stade Rennais defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal after submitting an offer worth an estimated €23m (£20m).
The proposal was rejected immediately by the French club, who believe the amount is significantly below their valuation of the Morocco international, according to The Athletic.
Rennes are under pressure to sell several players to comply with financial fair play regulations, but the departure of the 20-year-old is not currently part of their plans. The club have already turned down an initial offer from Germany, as reported exclusively by Africafoot, and would prefer to raise funds through the sale of other members of their squad.
Fulham are considering whether to return with an improved bid, although they recognise the difficulty of reaching an agreement. The Premier League club are also continuing to explore alternative defensive targets as they assess their options.
Despite Rennes’ decision to reject Fulham’s first approach, Ait Boudlal is understood to be receptive to the interest from England, adds Foot Mercato. The Marrakech-born defender is open to the possibility of moving to the Premier League this summer and would welcome the opportunity to take on a new challenge in his career.
That could leave the door open for further negotiations if Fulham submit an offer that meets Rennes’ expectations and satisfies all parties involved.
Ait Boudlal was developed at the Mohammed VI Football Academy before joining Rennes in 2024. He made 21 appearances in all competitions last season, including 20 Ligue 1 matches, and scored twice.
His performances have established him as one of the most promising defensive players within the Rennes squad. The Morocco international is valued at €12m by Transfermarkt, although his current club have rejected Fulham’s €23m proposal and are not actively seeking to sell him.
Ait Boudlal’s contract with Rennes runs until 2028, giving the club a strong negotiating position if interest from Fulham develops into a formal second offer. His age, recent Ligue 1 experience and international status have made him an attractive target for the west London club, but the gap between the two sides’ valuations remains substantial.
For now, Fulham must decide whether to increase their offer or focus on other defensive options, while Rennes continue to weigh up which players can be sold to meet their financial requirements without losing one of their most highly regarded young defenders.
