Transfers, Dréossi : “Bryan Ruiz ? Pure Speculation”
Very active on the transfer market after the signing of no less than five players since the summer transfer window opened, Pierre Dréossi, Rennes’ general manager gave an update on the various rumours regarding a move from Rennes to hire Costa Rica international player Brian Ruiz, and discusses a possible transfer of Asamoah Gyan this summer.
The news made the effect of a bombshell this Saturday ! As we thought Rennes’ summer recruitment was nearly over following the arrivals of Onyekachi Apam, Johann Carrasso, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, Georges Mandjeck and Victor Hugo Montaño, the daily newspaper Le Pays announced that the Stade Rennais was following the FC Twente StrikerBryan Ruiz (24 years old).
Best goal scorer in his team this season, with 24 goals, the Costa-Rica international had caught the eye a few weeks ago when his country met France in a pre World Cup friendly (2-1). Although the player was targeted a few months ago, Rennes had then backed off because of Ruiz’ increasing value. According to Le Pays, Rennes was considering the "spending of a big sum of money" to bring Ruiz towards the Vilaine banks. Alerted by this information, Pierre Dréossi replied on Eurosport’s Website, affirming the rumour is “unfounded”.
However, another player should arrive in Rennes in the next few days. It could be Stéphane Dalmat (31 y/o), who has already agreed on contract terms with his management. However, the arrival of the former Paris player was meeting a stumbling block as Rennes are not prepared to pay the fee requested by Sochaux for their player. However, according to the newspaper Le Parisien, Sochaux are thought to be negotiating with Camel Meriem, in order to compensate Dalmat’s departure.
As far as departures are concerned, Dréossi was categorical about the case of striker Asamoah Gyan. Brought into the spotlight by his influential role in the Ghanaian World Cup bid, with 3 goals to his personal tally, Gyan logically caught the eye of several foreign teams. However, Rennes’ general manager stated clearly that Rennes wasn’t keen on selling the player, apart for an "exceptional offer”
Besides, Rod Fanni’s transfer to Atletico Madrid is still to be finalised. While the player and the Madrid club managed to agree on contractual terms, the issue remains the transfer fee proposed by the Spanish team, as Dréossi explained: “We received an offer from the Atletico Madrid, which could not be accepted. We are very far from an agreement”.
Finally, as the new Ligue 1 season is approaching, Dréossi doesn’t want to draw upon a star, and avoids the question when he is asked about the club’s ambitions for the 2010-2011 season."We want to manage a better season. We were far below our expectations last season. We need to do better. About our league position, we will see in time”, he concludes.