Following his loan spell at Auxerre during the second half of the season, Rennes’ Matthis Abline could be set to leave Brittany again this summer – this time, on a permanent deal.
The 20-year-old found the net twice as Auxerre were relegated on the final day, having been overtaken by Nantes after Les Canaris pulled off a timely first win since February against Angers. He also scored in the team’s brief Coupe de France run.
According to Le Parisien, Reims are interested in signing Abline, having already brought in young Ivorian forward Oumar Diakité as part of their drive to replace the departing Folarin Balogun’s goal haul from last season.
Rennes are said to be asking for €8m for their youth academy graduate, and the Champagne side are not the only club looking to bring in the French youth international – who was not called up for the U21 Euros which start this week. In France, Strasbourg are also keeping an eye on him, while a move to Lorient could also see Abline remain in Brittany. Sunderland are also among the potential destinations for the forward, although Abline himself would like to stay in France for the time being.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
