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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Ryan Babel to Fulham: Former Liverpool forward due in London to complete loan transfer

Ryan Babel is due in London this week to complete a move to Fulham.

The former Liverpool winger is in talks over a loan from Turkish side Besiktas until the end of the season.

He plays as a forward for Holland and has been a key part of their resurgence under Ronald Koeman.

The 32-year-old has scored six times for Besiktas this season but is now out of favour and Fulham, with only 20 goals this term, hope he can boost their hopes of survival.

Vice chairman Tony Khan has promised “multiple signings” this month. As part of the Babel deal, keeper Fabri could return to Besiktas on loan after a nightmare six months at Craven Cottage.

Transfer News and Rumours, Tuesday 15th January

Fabri joined for £5million last July but was dropped after two games and is now third-choice behind Sergio Rico and Marcus Bettinelli.

Babel cost Liverpool £11.5m in 2007 but despite a promising first season he was not a success at Anfield. He made 146 appearances before joining Hoffenheim in an £8m deal in 2011. Babel lost his way during spells at Ajax, Kasimpasa in Turkey, Al Ain in the UAE and Deportivo La Coruna, but found his spark at Besiktas.

He is now a regular in the Holland side and is in line to start against England in the Nations League semi-finals in June.

A 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Saturday left second-from-bottom Fulham five points from safety.

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