# Stade Rennais preseason, contracts and transfers > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/african-footballers-earn-top-league-accolades-in-may-2026 > Updated: 2026-08-02T20:16:51.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 21. Stade Rennais entered the 2025‑26 season with a strong medical programme and, after finishing sixth in Ligue 1, secured a Europa League spot by winning the French Cup. The club’s marquee striker, Estéban Lepaul, finished as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals but was controversially omitted from the UNFP Team of the Season, sparking debate over award criteria. Despite interest from Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Como and other European sides, Rennes rejected offers reportedly worth €60 million and extended Lepaul’s contract to June 2030, making him one of the club’s highest‑paid players. The summer window saw a flurry of activity. Rennes confirmed the signings of midfielder Adrien Thomasson, forward Issa Soumaré (until 2030) and centre‑back Gonçalo Oliveira. A €22‑million deal brought Spanish striker Eliezer Mayenda from Sunderland, the club’s third‑most expensive acquisition. Targets also included right‑back Antoine Hainaut, defender Saël Kumbedi and central defender Yerson Mosquera, while the club pursued South African striker Eliezer Mayenda (later signed) and Egyptian midfielder Emam Ashour. Contract extensions were secured for young centre‑back Abdelhamid Aït‑Boudlal and academy winger Amadou Diallo (until 2029). Pre‑season began on 29 June with medicals for non‑international players. Discussions opened on a longer‑term deal for head coach Franck Haise, whose contract runs to June 2027. Throughout July and into August, Rennes repeatedly affirmed its commitment to keep Lepaul, rejecting all external bids and focusing on squad depth for domestic and European competitions. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: Stade Rennais commits to keeping striker Estéban Lepaul amid transfer rumours Stade Rennais has extended striker Estéban Lepaul’s contract, rejecting transfer offers after his Ligue 1 top‑scorer season and a hat‑trick in a friendly, while he draws France national team interest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-commits-to-keeping-striker-estban-lepaul-amid-transfer-rumours ### 2026-07-14: Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais drive summer transfer moves Marseille eyes Ethan Mbappé amid financial limits, while Rennes sells academy graduate Loum Tchaouna to Coventry for €23 million and seeks to retain top scorer Estéban Lepaul despite €60 million offers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-pursues-jonathan-david-as-academy-graduate-loum-tchaouna-joins-coventry ### 2026-07-11: Esteban Lepaul set to stay at Rennes while Lucas Stassin faces uncertain future at Saint‑Étienne Stade Rennais negotiate a new contract to retain top scorer Esteban Lepaul, while AS Saint‑Étienne’s Lucas Stassin sees limited future after a disappointing season. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/esteban-lepaul-set-to-stay-at-rennes-while-lucas-stassin-faces-uncertain-future-at-sainttienne ### 2026-07-06: Stade de Reims and Rennes reinforce attack with new forwards Reims sign free‑agent striker Sambou Soumano, while Rennes secure Spanish forward Eliezer Mayenda on a contract through 2031, boosting their attacks for the upcoming Ligue 1 season. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-de-reims-and-rennes-reinforce-attack-with-new-forwards ### 2026-07-05: Stade Rennais signs Eliezer Mayenda from Sunderland for over €22m 21‑year‑old striker Eliezer Mayenda moves from Sunderland to Stade Rennais on a five‑year deal worth roughly €22‑25 million, with former club Sochaux set to receive about €4 million. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-signs-eliezer-mayenda-from-sunderland-for-over-22m ### 2026-07-02: Stade Rennais signs Spanish striker Eliezer Mayenda for around €22 million Stade Rennais completed the €22‑million signing of 21‑year‑old Spanish striker Eliezer Mayenda from Sunderland on a contract until 2031, marking the club’s most costly attack boost this summer. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-to-spend-up-to-50-million-on-three-summer-signings ### 2026-06-30: Rennes negotiates new coach contract and plans busy transfer window Rennes is negotiating a new deal with coach Franck Haise and orchestrating a busy transfer window, targeting departures and signings to strengthen the squad for Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Europa Leage 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rennes-negotiates-new-coach-contract-and-plans-busy-transfer-window ### 2026-06-29: Stade Rennais kicks off preseason as summer transfer activity ramps up Stade Rennais starts preseason on 29 June, adds three signings, eyes more targets, and prepares for several departures as it cements its squad for the upcoming Ligue 1 season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-kicks-off-preseason-as-summer-transfer-activity-ramps-up ### 2026-06-25: Stade Rennais secures Amadou Diallo with contract until 2029 Stade Rennais has signed 19‑year‑old Guinean winger Amadou Diallo to a professional contract lasting until 2029, praising his resilience after an Olympic stint and a serious injury. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-secures-amadou-diallo-with-contract-until-2029 ### 2026-06-20: Stade Rennais ramps up summer transfer activity with Mayenda target and Oliveira signing Stade Rennais is pursuing South African striker Eliezer Mayenda and Egyptian midfielder Emam Ashour while confirming the €3.5 million signing of Portuguese defender Gonçalo Oliveira, adding to recent arrivals. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portuguese-defender-gonalo-oliveira-signs-for-stade-rennais-from-benfica-for-35-million ### 2026-06-15: Stade Rennais strengthens squad in 2026 summer transfer window Stade Rennais has signed striker Issa Soumaré and defender Adrien Thomasson, secured Esteban Lepaul, and is seeking a centre‑back and goalkeeper as it rebuilds for the 2026 season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-strengthens-squad-in-2026-summer-transfer-window ### 2026-06-12: Stade Rennais strengthens squad with Oliveira signing and eyes on Chevalier and Cissé Stade Rennais signs Gonçalo Oliveira, is linked to PSG keeper Lucas Chevalier, and draws interest from VfB Stuttgart for midfielder Djaoui Cissé. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-targets-turkish-striker-aral-simsir-and-midfielder-djaoui-ciss ### 2026-06-09: Lille and Rennes target Ligue 1 stars Johann Lepenant and Estéban Lepaul Lille eyes Nantes midfielder Johann Lepenant while Rennes push to retain striker Estéban Lepaul amid interest from clubs across Europe. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lille-and-rennes-target-ligue-1-stars-johann-lepenant-and-estban-lepaul ### 2026-06-07: Stade Rennais eyes major summer signing as it prepares for Europa League Stade Rennais plans an aggressive summer transfer window, targeting a high‑profile striker and working to keep top scorer Estéban Lepaul as they prepare for Europa League competition. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-eyes-major-summer-signing-as-it-prepares-for-europa-league ### 2026-06-06: Esteban Lepaul extends contract with Rennes until 2030 Ligue 1 top scorer Esteban Lepaul has signed a new deal with Stade Rennais until 2030, receiving a major pay rise that places him among the club’s top three salaries, with Rennes refusing offers up to €60 m. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-locks-down-ligue-1-top-scorer-estban-lepaul-with-new-contract ### 2026-06-06: Stade Rennais moves to sign Benfica forward and target Wolfsburg defender Stade Rennais plans to sign a forward from Benfica and negotiate a €10 million deal for Wolfsburg defender Saël Kumbedi to reinforce its squad before the World Cup break. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-moves-to-sign-benfica-forward-and-target-wolfsburg-defender ### 2026-06-03: Stade Rennais moves to extend Lepaul and Aït‑Boudlal contracts Stade Rennais aims to retain top striker Estéban Lepaul and young defender Abdelhamid Aït‑Boudlal, extending their contracts ahead of Europa League participation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-moves-to-extend-lepaul-and-atboudlal-contracts ### 2026-05-31: Stade Rennais to sign French right‑back Antoine Hainaut for €10 million Stade Rennais plans a €10 million transfer for French right‑back Antoine Hainaut, a former PSG academy player now in Italy, to boost its defence ahead of the Europa League. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-to-sign-french-rightback-antoine-hainaut-for-10-million ### 2026-05-24: Stade Rennais plans active summer transfers after Europa League spot Stade Rennais will ramp up its summer transfer activity, aiming to keep top scorer Esteban Lepaut and add players like Adrien Thomasson after qualifying for the Europa League. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stade-rennais-plans-active-summer-transfers-after-europa-league-spot ### 2026-05-20: Esteban Lepaul Leads Rennes as Ligue 1 Top Scorer, Sparks Transfer Interest Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul ended the season as Ligue 1 top scorer with 21 goals, drawing interest from Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Serie A’s Como. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/esteban-lepaul-leads-rennes-as-ligue-1-top-scorer-sparks-transfer-interest ### 2026-05-11: UNFP Ligue 1 team of the season sparks debate as top scorer Estéban Lepaul is omitted Top scorer Estéban Lepaul left out of UNFP XI while Lens defender Malang Sarr makes the team, prompting debate. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unfp-ligue-1-team-of-the-season-sparks-debate-as-top-scorer-estban-lepaul-is-omitted --- Cite as: Stade Rennais preseason, contracts and transfers. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/african-footballers-earn-top-league-accolades-in-may-2026