Invited to face the journalists alongside Steve Mandanda, Florian Maurice gave an update on one of the files of the Rennes summer transfer window.
Stade Rennais’ first summer recruit, Steve Mandanda was presented to journalists on Monday. Alongside the French goalkeeper, landed free from Olympique de Marseille, Florian Maurice spoke in particular about the continuation of the Breton transfer window. The sports director of the SRFC could not escape a question on the file leading to Samuel Umtiti, the French central defender of FC Barcelona. According to the latest information, the Rennes leaders would be willing to give up the possibility of recruiting the 2018 world champion, pushed towards the exit by the Blaugrana.
“This file is on stand-by”
While denying the slightest concern with coach Bruno Genesio on the case of the former Lyonnais, likely to land on loan at Roazhon Park, the 48-year-old man hinted that the Yaoundé native’s track was no longer priority. “There is no disagreement. We may not agree on certain issues, but the exchange has always been the same with Bruno. We’ve known each other long enough to talk quietly. We do the pros and cons of certain files. For the moment, this file is on stand-by. We are working on other solutions at the moment.”
Under contract until June 2026 with Barça, the tricolor international is moving away from a return to the French championship. Acquired by the Blaugrana in the summer of 2016 against a check for 25 million euros, Samuel Umtiti is no longer part of Xavi’s plans. Appeared 133 times in all competitions with the Barcelona tunic, for 2 goals, the number 23 has continued to suffer repeated injuries which have greatly weighed down his record on the other side of the Pyrenees. In 2021-2022, his playing time was limited to a very small appearance in La Liga.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djd-39iOJC8
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