Bournemouth are looking to secure the services of Stade Rennais FC striker Firmin Mubele. According to recent reports in the French press, the Cherries made a bid of €12m for the Ligue 1 forward but his current employers have rejected it. It is believed that Stade Rennais FC are holding out for a fee in the region of €15m for the player as 20% of any potential deal will go directly to Mubele’s previous club Al Ahli.
The DR Congo international arrived in Ligue 1 from Al Ahli in the summer of 2016 and has put in some dazzling performances in a Stade Rennais FC shirt. However, he may have to settle for a place on the bench going into the second half of the season if the Ligue 1 side are successful in their efforts to bring in a new striker this month. It is understood that Mubele will be asked to play second-fiddle to any potential new forward’s arrival at the Roazhon Park.
Stade Rennais FC are currently occupying 10th place in the Ligue 1 standings, six points above the relegation zone. Their good run this season is partly down to Mubele’s contributions on the pitch which has seen him score 5 goals and make 2 assists in 19 appearances for the French club in all competitions.
Sabri Lamouchi’s side are still not out of danger and may need a few more additions in January if they are to survive a potential relegation at the end of the season. If Mubele does depart the French club in the near future, the money generated from his sale could be used to strengthen other areas of the squad which might be enough to convince Lamouchi to part ways with his prized asset.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, are in 15th place in the Premier League standings after their miserable form in the last few weeks which has seen them pick up just one victory in their last 10 league encounters. The Cherries are in real danger of getting dragged into a relegation dogfight in the second half of the season and manager Eddie Howe could now be eager to bring in some fresh faces in January to try and give his side a good chance of avoiding the drop this season. A potential arrival of Mubele will definitely boost their attacking options with the club scoring only 22 goals in 22 league games so far.
It remains to be seen whether Eddie Howe’s side are successful in their attempts to lure Mubele into the Premier League.
