£5m man left out of squad as Fulham agree fee, but deal may still collapse

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Kevin Mbabu has been omitted from the Wolfsburg squad for their pre-season trip to Belgium with Fulham in talks to bring the defender back to the Premier League, as reported by Kicker. 

The Switzerland international may feel he has unfinished business in England.

Mbabu spent five years at Newcastle United but only made a handful of first-team appearances before being farmed out to BSC Young Boys, via a brief loan spell at Rangers. The now-27-year-old right-back has come on leaps and bounds since then, establishing himself in the Bundesliga while earning 22 caps for the Swiss national team. 

And while Wolfsburg are keen to move on from Mbabu this summer, some context is required. He has just 12 months left on his contract, and Die Wolfen understandably want to cash in now before he goes on a free.

What’s more, Mbabu only lost his place in the starting XI due to the outstanding form of Riedle Baku. One of the up-and-coming stars of German football. He remains a fine footballer, and a potentially inspired low-cost addition as far as Fulham are concerned.

Fulham agree fee with Wolfsburg for Kevin Mbabu

The Evening Standard claimed this week that talks between Fulham and Wolfsburg have reached an ‘advanced stage’. Mbabu, who will set the Cottagers back a bargain £5 million, will now be left out of Niko Kovac’s squad. Wolfsburg travel to Belgium this weekend for a pre-season friendly with Jupier League side KV Mechelen. 

But while Fulham have agreed a fee for Mbabu, there is still work to be done. Kicker add that Mbabu is waiting to see which other offers present themselves in the Premier League before committing himself to a Cottagers side who are almost certain to be among the early favourites for relegation. That is despite some impressive, eye-catching moves in the transfer market. 

Should the Mbabu deal fall through, Fulham could turn to free-agent Djibril Sidibe. Kenny Tete, meanwhile, will stick around even if a new right-back does arrive.