(Football news) Fulham are on the verge of signing 27-year-old VfL Wolfsburg right back Kevin Mbabu. According to Fabrizio Romano, Fulham are closing in on the capture of Kevin Mbabu as they have reached a total agreement with Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg over the Swiss international, with the Premier League outfit expected to meet his release clause of €5.5 million including add-ons and sell-on clauses.

Fulham were quick to agree personal agreement with Mbabu as well, and the move is only subject to a medical in London. The deal could be official in the coming days, making the 27-year-old Fulham’s third major signing of the summer after Portuguese international Joao Palhinha and former Manchester United playmaker Andreas Pereira joined this summer. With the two midfielders already in the bag, it appeared that Fulham coach Marco Silva had been shoring up his defensive unit ahead of the new season as the Cottagers have had to deal with the exit of Neco Williams at the 2021/22 season. The former Liverpool defender was one of the stars at Fulham last season and although the London club tried their best to sign the Welshman, the player ultimately joined Nottingham Forest.

Fulham had to look elsewhere in the market, with Kevin Mbabu emerging as the desired option because of his experience in the international circuit. The VfL Wolfsburg player has experience of playing in the Premier League, having played for Newcastle United in 2015/16  before eventually moving to Young Boys. During his time in the Bundesliga and the Swiss League, Mbabu has earned a solid reputation for his athleticism at right back, coupled with his attacking quality. Although his role at Wolfsburg has dwindled following the breakthrough of Ridle Baku, the 27-year-old certainly has the quality to prove himself again in the Premier League. 

Mbabu will now compete with Kenny Tete in a bid to become the club’s first-choice right-back for Fulham next season. His work ethic out wide would make him an ideal fit in Marco Silva’s tactical system, although the Swiss international must improve on the technical aspect of his game. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, won’t be fazed by the departure of Mbabu, who became a squad  player in the Bundesliga outfit, serving as a backup for Baku. With Niko Kovac as their new manager we can expect a lot more variety in Die Wolfe’s game next season.

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