While the transfer window had closed in most European countries, Stade Rennais surprised its world by announcing on February 7 the departure on loan from Mbaye Niang to Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia until the end of the season. The Breton club’s sports director, Florian Maurice, defended himself from pushing the Senegalese striker, who was no longer in the plans of coach Julien Stéphan, towards the exit.
«We received a good number of proposals for him. The player chooses the destination. So it was he who made the decision to go where he plays today. We didn’t push him to go to Saudi Arabia», Assured the leader in the columns of the newspaper West France. «In addition to other exotic clubs, we had proposals from European clubs that were submitted to him, he was aware but he made the decision to go to Saudi Arabia. He’s there for six months and we’ll see what happens when he comes back.»
Came into play at 62e minute, the former Milanese began his new adventure with a draw against Al Ain (1-1) Wednesday in the league.
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