Stade Rennais FC is in direct competition with RC Lens for French midfielder Warren Bondo. The 23-year-old, under contract with AC Milan, is also being tracked by Bologna who are considering a loan with an option to buy, complicating matters for the two French clubs.
Both teams studied Bondo's profile during the last summer transfer window. Interest from Bologna, managed by Raffaele Palladino who previously worked with the player at Monza, adds another layer to this pursuit. No agreement has been announced so far.
This search for midfield reinforcements comes during a tough sporting period for the Breton club. Stade Rennais' recent form shows four losses and one draw from their last five matches. The most recent, a heavy 5-2 defeat away to Nice on October 30th, highlighted the team's defensive issues. In that match, the Stade Rennais FC goals were scored by Sebastian Szymański and Boulaye Dia from the penalty spot. This result continued a poor run, which included a 3-0 loss at Strasbourg on October 25th, a 2-2 draw with Juventus on October 22nd, a 4-3 defeat at Paris FC on October 18th, and a 2-1 win over OFI on October 15th, following a 4-1 victory against Auxerre on October 11th.
The club needs to find its balance quickly, especially with a key Europa League fixture at home against Olympiakos this Wednesday, November 4th. The squad is also missing two key players, Édouard Lepaul and Brice Samba, who are both currently sidelined through injury. Lepaul remains the team's top scorer this season with seven goals in seven appearances. The sporting management is thus working on multiple fronts to turn things around, with the transfer market being one avenue. The Bondo file is one of the options being closely monitored. Having lost its last two matches, the team will hope the return of its most prolific scorer from injury, coupled with a potential addition like Bondo, can help change its fortunes.
More detail at sport.fr
