Fulham are reportedly interested in signing 30-year-old Malian right-back Hamari Traore from Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennais.
According to a report by Foot Mercato, Hamari Traore is a target for Marco Silva this month. And Fulham have submitted an offer of around €3-4 million to sign the experienced right-back from Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais.
Fulham are looking to improve their defensive options this month, and they have identified the Malian international as a potential target. It remains to be seen whether they can agree on a fee with the Ligue 1 outfit before the January transfer window closes.
The 30-year-old defender will be out of contract at the end of the season. And it makes sense for Rennes to cash in on him this month. They will not want to lose the player as a free agent in the summer.
Traore has been a key player for the French outfit since joining them in 2017. And he was reportedly on the radar of Barcelona at the start of the season. The 30-year-old can be a quality acquisition for Fulham, and he has the experience and ability to succeed in the Premier League. The right-back is at the peak of his career right now and can improve Fulham defensively in the short term.
🚨Info @DahbiaHattabi : Hamari Traoré🇲🇱💫.
▫️Fulham a formulé une offre comprise entre 3 et 4M€ pour le latéral droit de Rennes. pic.twitter.com/9c9Mv3pGr6
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) January 12, 2023
The Cottagers have been quite impressive this season and will be hoping to finish as high as possible in the Premier League table. They are currently seventh in the standings. And bringing in the right additions in January could help them secure European qualification.
The reported offer seems a bargain for a player of Traore’s quality and experience. If Fulham manage to get the deal across the line, it could prove to be a major bargain for them. But they also have other right-backs on their radar, including Rick Karsdorp.
The 30-year-old has already proven himself in Ligue 1 and might be open to pursuing a new adventure now. The opportunity to move to the Premier League is a tempting proposition for most players. And Traore could be attracted to the idea of playing for Fulham during the second half of the season.
Letting the 30-year-old leave this month would certainly weaken Bruno Genesio’s squad, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few days.
