Fulham were linked with Ligue 1 midfielder Rongier in 2017 and Claudio Ranieri’s Premier League strugglers are reportedly interested again.
All the way back in the summer of 2017, Fulham were linked with a little-known midfielder by the name of Valentin Rongier.
According to GetWestLondon, Fulham, Derby County and Birmingham City were all keen on the 22-year-old Nantes talent, who was understood to be valued at a bargain £3 million.
A year-and-a-half on, it seems that the Cottagers are still keeping a close eye on a player who continues to go from strength to strength across the Channel in Ligue 1.
According to Jeunes Footeaux, Claudio Ranieri has resumed Fulham’s interest in the highly-rated Rongier, though he’d cost a lot more than £3 million these days. The report adds that the London club are set to submit an offer in the region of £23 million with the January transfer window just weeks away.
Now 23, Rongier has established himself as one of the first names on Nantes’ team sheet. He is renowned for his defensive work-rate, his ability to win back possession and start attacks from deep.
On paper, the Frenchman could offer a sheet of steel in front of a thin Fulham back line. And, although £23 million is far from cheap, it remains to be seen whether Ranieri views Rongier as a more affordable alternative to his former Leicester City title winner Danny Drinkwater.
Football London claimed last week that the Chelsea outcast could be too expensive.
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