LEIPZIG JOIN FULHAM AND LIVERPOOL IN THE RACE TO SIGN RENNES CENTRE-BACK ARTHUR THEATE

Rennes centre-back Arthur Theate (23) is being courted by several European outfits. Yesterday, L’Équipe broke the news that Premier League sides Fulham and Liverpool were interested in the versatile left-footed Belgium international.

 

Theate joined the Bretons only last year from Bologna in a €20m deal. He is tied to Bruno Genesio’s side with a contract set to expire in 2026. The defender made 42 appearances, scoring a remarkable five goals and registering one assist. Now, L’Équipe reports that Bundesliga side Leipzig is also keeping tabs on the left-footed centre-back.

 

The French publication understands that the Red Bull-owned club and the player’s entourage have entered into talks. Leipzig are in the market for a versatile left-footed centre-back following Joško Gvardiol’s €90m sale to Manchester City and El Chadaille Bitshiabu’s knee ligament injury. Leipzig are yet to submit a bid to their Rennes counterparts. Leipzig head coach Marco Rose said in a pre-game press conference that he has no intention to field newly-signed defender Castello Lukeba as the left-sided centre-back. Leipzig will kick off their Bundesliga season away at Leverkusen this Saturday.

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Marco Silva has urged the Fulham hierarchy to strenghten his squad with more wide players after the signing of Adama Traore on a free transfer from Wolves.

 

The Cottagers’ head coach gave a strong hint that the Spanish international could be involved in tomorrow’s local derby with Brentford – but used his pre-match press conference to reiterate that the Whites have lost a number of wingers over the summer.

Silva said:

“You know, we lost [Neeskens] Kebano, Manor Solomon, Daniel James in the wide positions in our attack line so we needed players in that area. We clearly need players in that in that area of the pitch and not just one. Right now we have signed Adama. Of course we were looking for another one for that area of the pitch.

He’s a player that knows the Premier League very well. He has enough experience at this level. A powerful guy, he is a player that will give us something different and he is another one that comes to help us to be to be stronger.”