Fulham make contact to sign Lyon captain Leo Dubois, with frustrated Silva eyeing familiar face as plan B

Fulham have asked Lyon to let them have full-back Leo Dubois on loan for the season, according to a report which suggests the Ligue 1 side have other ideas.

Fulham are yet to add to their squad since winning promotion to the Premier League. There have been rumours of Marco Silva’s discontent, as revealed by The Athletic on Saturday. It has been claimed he actually wants up to 10 signings.

One of the players on Fulham’s radar, judging by the latest reports from L’Equipe, could be Dubois. He has been captaining Lyon, for whom he has made 129 appearances since joining in 2018.

Under contract for two more seasons, Dubois may be set for a change of scenery this summer. As L’Equipe note, he is a priority target for Fulham at right-back.

In fact, the Championship winners have reportedly made contact with Lyon already over a potential loan deal.

However, they have learned that the Ligue 1 outfit would prefer a permanent transfer for Dubois. Their asking price would be in the region of €8m (£6.9m).

Whether Fulham could make such a bid remains to be seen. They could take encouragement from the claim that Dubois is favouring a departure from Lyon this year. Furthermore, he is keen to sign for a side outside France.

Another interested party would be Fiorentina, but the Serie A side only have him on their list as a backup option at present. Their main target is Dodo of Shakhtar Donetsk.

In contrast, he is Fulham’s top choice for the full-back berth. That said, they are keeping their options open too. Another alternative for them would be to accommodate Djibril Sidibe after his release by Monaco.

Sidibe previously spent a season on loan in the Premier League with Everton, in 2019-20. Current Cottagers boss Silva was in charge when the Toffees signed him; he gave Sidibe 10 appearances before losing his own job in December.

A reunion could be considered if the track leading Fulham to Dubois does not become concrete. But it seems the 27-year-old is someone they are working on for now.

Leo Dubois experience could benefit Fulham

Having played for a side with European pedigree, Dubois could be a useful reinforcement for Fulham.

He seems open to a new challenge, which they could provide in the Premier League. His asking price seems reasonable, as well.

Signing Sidibe would be an interesting alternative, especially given his previous connection with Silva. Everton did not buy him after his last loan spell in England, but on a free transfer, he may be worth giving a second Premier League chance to.

But for now, Dubois is the priority for Silva’s side – and it is fair to see why. They will hope they can get a good deal on their terms.

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