AS Roma are ready to cash in on right-back Rick Karsdorp this month, and he is attracting interest from Premier League club Fulham as well as other sides around Europe.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the Cottagers are leading the race to sign the Dutchman after his public falling out with coach Jose Mourinho before the World Cup break.
Karsdorp incurred the wrath of Mourinho after his commitment was questioned during a late appearance as a substitute in the Giallorossi’s 1-1 draw against Sassuolo in Serie A in November.
Karsdorp becomes Fulham’s top target
It has seen the former Feyenoord defender banished from Roma‘s first team and the capital club are looking to offload him, with Karsdorp no longer being considered for selection for any of the Lupi’s competitive matches.
Fulham had been chasing Arsenal full-back Cedric Soares but have cooled their interest in the Portuguese due to his considerably high wage demands, and will focus on bringing Karsdorp to West London instead.
Roma are holding out for €10 million for the wantaway defender, but are thought to be willing to accept a deal worth as little as €7m in order to offload him, with the Premier League’s surprise package the favourites to secure him. Fulham are currently sat in seventh place in the Premier League table despite many assuming they would be a serious candidate for relegation.
Alternatively, the Craven Cottage club will consider an approach for Norwich City‘s Max Aarons, but are thought to be keen on bringing Karsdorp in as their first choice option.
Marseille ready to swoop
However, Fulham face a threat from Ligue 1 club Marseille, particularly as Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto enjoys a strong working relationship with the French outfit.
Marseille have recently bought winger Cengiz Under and central midfielder Jordan Veretout from the Giallorossi, and this has allowed the two clubs to build up a strong rapport.
Karsdorp joined Roma from Feyenoord in 2017 and has made 122 appearances for the club, although his first two seasons at the Stadio Olimpico were blighted by a serious knee injury.
