Newcastle United are reportedly monitoring Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal as they continue planning for future transfer windows.
TEAMtalk reports that Newcastle are keeping close tabs on the 20-year-old Morocco international and his development in Ligue 1.
The report says Ait Boudlal has emerged as one of the defensive options being assessed ahead of 2027.
Newcastle are not alone, with Everton, Brentford and Hull City also credited with interest.
Fulham reportedly had a €30million bid rejected earlier this summer.
Newcastle continue centre-back search
The link fits Newcastle’s wider recruitment plans.
Read Newcastle reported earlier this month that the club had identified a young centre-back as one of two priority positions following a post-summer recruitment meeting.
Ait Boudlal would fit that profile.
Rennes describe the defender as a quick, powerful centre-back comfortable starting attacks from defence. He joined the French club from the Mohammed VI Football Academy in 2024 and is contracted until 2028.
He has since broken into Rennes’ first team and earned senior international recognition with Morocco.
There is no suggestion that Newcastle have opened negotiations or made an offer.
For now, their reported interest appears to be at the monitoring stage as the club assess longer-term defensive options.
