Premier League promotion has come once again for Fulham as the Cottagers have clawed their way back to the top flight of English football for what will be the third time in five seasons, and Marco Silva’s side will need all the help they can get to avoid the drop once again.
As reported by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Fulham is nearing a completed deal for Swiss international right-back Kevin Mbabu.
Kevin Mbabu will be unveiled as new Fulham player very soon. Agreement in place for €5.5m plus add-ons and sell-on clause, personal terms agreed too. 🚨⚪️⚫️ #FulhamFC
Medical pending and then deal will be completed. pic.twitter.com/aSeYG7Jzlj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2022
The 27-year-old has fallen out of favor with Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg after the meteoric rise of German international Ridle Baku, with Die Wölfe now looking to cash in on the former Servette FC academy product who has just one year remaining on his deal at the Volkswagen Arena.
Fulham will be made to shell out just ~£4.7m for the Swiss defender but the deal will also include a sell-on clause, likely geared towards if the London club fails to remain in the Premier League, with personal terms also reportedly agreed between the club and the player.
Marco Silva will certainly be desperate for defensive reinforcements this summer as well given the limited options on hand at current at Craven Cottage, with Fulham boasting just six defenders across the entire back line.
Mbabu should come in as a very credible first-choice option ahead of the club’s only right back in Kenny Tete, and though the club has done well to also add João Palhinha from Sporting CP and Andreas Pereira from Manchester United, more is needed if Silva is to successfully keep the club up in come 2023-24.