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French club Rennes could offer Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez the perfect next step in his career, even though top clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund are keeping an eye on him, Footynaija reports.
The 24-year-old impressed in his first full season with Rangers after joining from Peterborough United for about £3.5 million. His strong displays helped him win the club’s Player of the Season award, earn a place in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Season and score five league goals in just 27 matches.
His rapid rise has attracted interest from across Europe. Rennes have placed him on a three-man shortlist alongside Charlie Cresswell of Toulouse and Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera.
However, Rangers are not under pressure to sell. Fernandez is tied to the club until 2029, while Peterborough will receive a percentage of any future transfer, meaning Rangers are expected to demand at least €28 million.
Despite interest from bigger clubs, Rennes may be the better choice. The French side will compete in the UEFA Europa League next season, giving Fernandez the chance to play regularly against strong European opponents.
More importantly, Rennes have a history of helping young players develop before moving to elite clubs. Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembélé and Jérémy Doku all used the club as a stepping stone.
Regular football in Ligue 1 could also improve Fernandez’s game and strengthen his place in the Super Eagles squad. Rather than spending time on the bench at a Premier League giant, he could continue his development as a first-choice defender in one of Europe’s top leagues.
