Fulham submits official bid for Morocco star Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal
Fulham has made an official offer to sign Morocco defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal from Rennes during the current summer transfer window. The bid was valued at £20 million, but Rennes rejected it as it fell short of their asking price.
What happened?
According to The Athletic, Fulham's offer was significantly lower than what Rennes demands, leading to the French club's rejection. Fulham is now considering either submitting an improved bid or exploring other options, aware that completing the deal will not be easy.
Why it matters for Morocco
Despite not being called up for Morocco's World Cup squad, Ait Boudlal was part of the team for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. Born in Marrakech, the defender joined Rennes in 2024 and has since played 20 Ligue 1 matches, scoring two goals.
What comes next?
Fulham has already completed two signings this summer, bringing in striker Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Balascios from Real Madrid for a combined €50 million. These are the first signings under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Marco Silva. Currently, Morocco sits second in the 2026 World Cup standings with 7 points from 3 games, a +3 goal difference, and a recent record of 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses.
