Fulham Open Talks With Rayo Vallecano for Andrei Ratiu

Fulham are in talks with Rayo Vallecano over a move for Romania defender Andrei Ratiu as the Premier League club seeks another defensive option before the transfer window closes. BBC Sport reported on Saturday that discussions are continuing and that the 28-year-old is open to moving to Craven Cottage.

No transfer has been completed, and neither club has announced an agreed fee. The BBC's report described Ratiu primarily as a right-back who can also operate in other positions. Separate reporting in Spain has characterized the negotiations as advanced, but the deal still depends on Fulham and Rayo reaching final terms.

Ratiu joined Rayo from Huesca in 2023 and made his La Liga debut for the Madrid club after the move. BBC Sport says he has played 104 games for Rayo. His career has been based almost entirely in Spain, beginning in Villarreal's academy, apart from a loan spell with ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands.

The possible move comes during Fulham's first summer under head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Marco Silva. The club has already added striker Gonzalo Garcia and attacker Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid, as well as midfielder Shea Charles from Southampton. Fulham have also converted forward Jonah Kusi-Asare's loan from Bayern Munich into a permanent transfer.

Fulham's early results have underlined the work still facing Arbeloa and his squad. The Cottagers lost 3-2 at home to London rivals Chelsea in their Premier League opener on Monday, then responded with a 3-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. The talks for Ratiu indicate that defensive recruitment remains active alongside the attacking and midfield additions already completed.

Time is a central factor because the transfer deadline falls on Tuesday night. Ratiu's willingness to consider a Premier League move may help the negotiations, but it does not amount to an agreement between the clubs. Until Fulham and Rayo confirm terms and complete the required registration, he remains a Rayo Vallecano player, with the final price and structure of any deal unconfirmed.