Rennes switches focus to squad adjustment after summer reinforcements

After an active summer in which it signed several players, Stade Rennais is now shifting strategy and managing squad departures. According to L'Équipe, the structure led by Franck Haise wants to trim the roster following the arrivals made in June and early July.

The Breton club closed the signings of forwards Issa Soumaré and Eliezer Mayenda, backup goalkeeper Nicolas Lemaître, midfielder Adrien Thomasson and young defender Gonçalo Oliveira during those weeks. In August, central defender Charlie Cresswell also arrived.

Sales as standard practice

This model of periodic player sales has allowed Rennes to maintain a positive balance over five years. The club has generated significant revenue from the departures of high-potential players such as Doku, Doué, Jacquet, Kalimuendo, Aguerd and Ugochukwu, operations essential to offset the fall in television rights and comply with UEFA's financial fair play rules, which cap wage spending at 70% of club revenue.

Rennes is confident in retaining its most valuable assets: Estéban Lepaul and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, considered their most "bankable" players. With their return to European football, the French club faces the season with optimism despite these squad adjustments.