Stade Rennais FC wrapped up its summer transfer window on Tuesday with the loan signing of Boulaye Dia, bringing the total number of new arrivals to eight. The Breton club recorded a positive financial balance, with revenue exceeding 70 million euros largely due to the sale of Jérémy Jacquet, as reported by RMC Sport Football.
The loan of Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia from Lazio Rome, which includes an option to buy, capped off a series of reinforcements. The squad was bolstered by goalkeeper Lemaitre, defenders Aaron Cresswell, Fabio Oliveira and Bryan Reynolds, midfielder Adrien Thomasson, and forwards Abdoulaye Soumaré and Eliezer Mayenda. Total spending surpassed 20 million euros, with over 20 million invested for Cresswell and Mayenda alone.
How did the club achieve a positive financial balance?
Despite these investments, the club's transfer balance remains strongly in the black. The sale of Jérémy Jacquet to Liverpool for 70 million euros was the most significant operation. Other departures also helped balance the books, including the sale of Breel Embolo to Atlanta and the loan of Seko Fofana to FC Porto for at least one season. This strategy allowed the club to reduce its wage bill, which was among the five highest in Ligue 1 last season, a necessity under UEFA's financial regulations.
Manager Franck Haise's objective was to build a squad of 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers, a mission accomplished. "Franck Haise wanted greater competition within his squad and the battle for places seems open in many areas," he stated. Every position in the usual 4-3-3 formation is now covered by two players, with two right-backs, two left-backs, four centre-backs, five midfielders and six forwards. You can view the full squad composition on our squad page.
Who will fight for a starting spot?
Competition is particularly fierce in defence. Bradley Nagida has taken the left-back spot from Lorenz Merlin. In central defence, Aït Boudlal could lose his starting status to Christopher Rouault for the upcoming match against Angers. In midfield, places are contested between Valentin Rongier, Adrien Thomasson, Ilaix Camara, Sebastian Szymanski and Ludovic Blas.
In attack, options are plentiful with Anass Tamari, Abdoulaye Soumaré, Eliezer Mayenda and Anthony Nordin. Boulaye Dia was specifically brought in to provide competition for the number 9 role. Brice Samba remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, while Esteban Lepaul, in strong form, may not play every match due to the busy European schedule. "The current Ligue 1 top scorer will not be able to play every game as Stade Rennais FC will return to European competition in less than fifteen days," Haise clarified.
What are the season's objectives?
The sporting direction has set a clear target: to finish higher than last season's sixth place in Ligue 1 and qualify for European competition. Players like Esteban Lepaul and Adrien Thomasson are aiming for the top 4 and a Champions League qualification spot. In the UEFA Europa Conference League (C3), the ambition is to reach at least the round of 16. The European campaign starts soon and is already influencing squad choices, as seen in the planned management of Lepaul's minutes.
The squad is now locked in to face the challenges ahead. A sign of the squad's deep renewal came during the match against Le Mans, where for the first time in 24 years, no academy graduate was present in the matchday squad. Stade Rennais FC's season, with its dual domestic and continental objectives, continues this weekend against Angers, a match you can follow in our fixtures schedule.
