Fulham are looking to beat Crystal Palace to the signature of Brentford’s Said Benrahma after making an 11th hour approach for the Championship star, according to the Mail.
Earlier in the window, Scott Parker’s Cottagers failed in an attempt to hijack West Brom’s pursuit of Grady Diangana Traore, with the England U21 international eventually sealing a belated £18 million move to the Midlands (Mail).
With Benrahma’s talks over a move to Selhurst Park reaching an advanced stage, who knows whether Fulham will have any more success this time around?
There is no harm in trying, however.
The Mail claims that Crystal Palace are yet to finalise a deal with Brentford, suggesting that the Algerian international’s £30 million price-tag is proving to be a substantial stumbling block.
If Fulham are willing to pay the admittedly massive sum that Thomas Frank’s Bees want, then they could suddenly move into pole position for a fleet-footed winger they marked out of the game during a dramatic play-off final at Wembley.
The report adds that Fulham, who have also been looking at RB Leipzig’s Ademola Lookman, have asked to be kept in the loop about how Benrahma’s talks with Palace are progressing as they put together a package of their own.
As part of that thrilling ‘BMW’ strike force, Benrahma was the driving force behind Brentford’s promotion push with 17 goals and ten assists last term.
But Ollie Watkins’ former strike partner is yet to make an appearance in 2020/21 due to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
“So it’s no secret that Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma are players that other clubs are interested in and if the price is right then we are open for potentially selling them,” Frank told Sky before Watkins become Aston Villa’s record signing.
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