Fulham are in talks with French giants Paris Saint-Germain for goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, with a view to bringing the stopper to west London on a season-long loan.
France international Areola has been at PSG since youth level, although he has regularly been sent out on loan, featuring for Lens, Bastia, and Villarreal. During his seasons in the first team in the French capital he has spent the majority of his time as the second choice.
Areola spent last season on loan at Real Madrid in a deal that saw Keylor Navas move the other way. Playing understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Areola found opportunities tough to come by in Madrid and featured in just nine games.
That hasn't stopped Fulham chasing the keeper, however, with Sky Sports reporting that the London side have entered talks with the French champions and are keen to bring him to Craven Cottage for the upcoming season.
However, the Cottagers may face competition, as Sky also report that Rennes are keeping tabs on Areola as they target a new keeper should Edouard Mendy join Chelsea.
Fulham have a hole to fill in goal as Marcus Bettinelli is set to depart the club after reportedly having a medical with Championship side Middlesbrough. Bettinelli - who has made seven Premier League appearances and featured in a 2018 England squad - has fallen out of favour under Scott Parker, with Slovakian keeper Marek Rodak preferred for most of last season.
Fulham have been active already in the transfer market, making loan deals of both Harrison Reed and Anthony Knockaert permanent, and acquiring former Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina from Southampton on a season-long loan. They have also signed Wigan Athletic left-back Antonee Robinson on a permanent deal.
The Cottagers make their return to the Premier League after being relegated at the end of the 2018/19 season. Fulham finished in 18th place conceding a league-high 81 goals despite spending over £100m in the transfer window.
Their approach appears to have differed under Parker as they are yet to invest heavily this time around.
Source : 90min