AS Roma set to sign Aston Villa target Lorenz Assignon from Rennes

Loaned out to Burnley last season, Lorenz Assignon (24) isn’t set to pursue his career in Brittany or return to the Premier League. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, the French right-back is set to join AS Roma on a loan deal with a mandatory buy option. 

Despite being a guaranteed starter during the first part of the season under Bruno Genésio, Assignon suffered from Julien Stéphan’s nomination last winter. The Frenchman was immediately set as a surplus to requirements, leading to a departure on loan to Burnley during the winter transfer window. Assignon immediately became a starter at the Premier League side, who were desperate to activate the €10M buy option at the end of the season, but the right-back refused to remain with the Clarets following their relegation from the Premier League. Following starter left-back Jeanuel Belocian (19) and right-back Guéla Doué (21) respectively to Bayer Leverkusen and FC Strasbourg Alsace, Assignon started against Olympique Lyonnais for Rennes’ stunning 3-0 win in Ligue 1’s opening matchday. However, the 24-year-old defender isn’t set to stay in Brittany and could join former Stade Rennais player Enzo Le Fée in the Italian capital. 

According to a report by Gazzetta Dello Sport, AS Roma are close to sealing the deal for Lorenz Assignon, who will be in competition with former Lille defender Zeki Celik. The Italian outlet reveals that Rennes’ defender will sign on a €1.5M loan deal, with a €8.5M mandatory option at the end of the season. Assignon was also targeted by Aston Villa this summer, who tried to rival AS Roma to sign the defender, who still has three years on his current deal. 

GFFN l Grégoire Devaux