Transfers : Dréossi “doesn’t close the door” to Gyan’s departure

Speaking on French radio RMC, Rennes’ general manager, Pierre Dréossi gave an update on the various transfer rumours about the club, and particularly on the case of striker Asamoah Gyan, currently coveted by several foreign clubs. As far as arrivals are concerned, he confirmed that Stéphane Dalmat remains the "first choice" to strengthen Renne’s midfield line.

As the 2010-2011 season slowly approaches, the Stade Rennais keeps on making headlines on the transfer market. “Nearly completed” by the end of June, the recruitment could take another direction over the next few weeks, if the newly published rumours were to be confirmed before the summer transfer window ends.

Rennes expects 15 to 20 million euros for Gyan

Approached by Sunderland and West Ham, Asamoah Gyanis now a target of Fenerbahçe: The Turks proposed 12 million euros and three additional millions as bonuses, to enrol the Ghanaian international. An interest Dréossi hasn’t considered as satisfying yet :
"I spoke with the Fenerbahçe management on the phone. I told them this isn’t a transfer they can manage".

Interested with a new challenge abroad, “Babyjet” isn’t thought to be against leaving Rennes to Istanbul, but he would certainly privilege a move to England. Since his arrival in Brittany, Gyan has always told of his desire to play in Premier League, the “League of his dreams”. Last year already, Everton had contacted Rennes about the player’s contract, but the club’s management had been crystal clear about their will to keep their African striker.

It could not be said the deal is different now. However, Rennes’ director could be tempted to profit of Gyan’s successful season, with Rennes and Ghana, to realise a massive gain on a player they bought for 8.5 million euros only two years ago. Last Tuesday, L’Equipe announced that Rennes was ready to let their striker go, as long as they received an offer of 20 million euros.

The requested price will certainly be a stumbling block for some of the interested buyers, in a very quiet transfer window, but it certainly proves a willingness of the club to sell Gyan at the highest possible price. Answering questions during RMC’s “Mercato Show”, Dréossi remained enigmatic about Gyan, opening up to a possible transfer while claiming the club’s intention to keep him in Rennes: "We haven’t closed the door. If we were proposed 15 million euros, we would consider the offer. However, we would like Gyan to remain at the club, and it is highly likely he will still play for Rennes next year. There are offer we could not refuse, but we haven’t received anything close to that type of offer".

If the “Black Star” was to leave, Rennes could decide to turn their attention back to Loïc Rémy, who remains in Nice. Closely followed by Bordeaux and West Ham, the French international is a favourite of Frédéric Antonetti, his former coach, who admires his quality and his versatility. The player’s price is thought to be set around 15 million euros

Dalmat is “the priority”, Fanni’s departure is on “standby”

As the Stéphane Dalmat case seemed to be in a dead-end (see article), Dréossi repeated that Renes is still looking for an offensive midfielder. Negotiations have been going on for weeks with Sochaux, and were eventually abandoned last week, after both parties failed to agree on the transfer fee. Dréossi, however, affirmed that the midfielder remained the club’s “priority”, in order to bring technical and vision skills to the Breton team.

As for Rod Fanni’s transfert to Atletico Madrid, Rennes’ general manager remained uncertain over the outcome of this transfer: "We’re on a standby. I hope for him (Rod Fanni), that we will find a solution, with this team or another one".The other team won’t be the Olympique Lyonnais, despite rumours from Spanish media regarding a growing interest by the seven-time France champion for Rennes’ full back.