A month after Nayef Aguerd’s departure from West Ham, Stade Rennais is about to recruit 22-year-old Belgian international Arthur Theate to replace him. A total agreement would be close for a transfer which would amount to 18 million euros.
Stade Rennais intends to take advantage of its expensive sales. A month after the sale of Nayef Aguerd to West Ham for 35 million euros and while the departure of Mathys Tel to Bayern Munich is on the right track, the Breton club have found the successor to the Moroccan central defender. As announced by journalist Sacha Tavolieri, it should be Arthur Theate (Bologna).
A 4 or 5 year contract
The Belgian international (3 selections) has agreed to join Rennes and the total agreement would be close, for an amount of 18 million euros including bonus. Several details remain to be settled with the player such as the duration of the contract, which should be 4 or 5 years, but the operation would have a good chance of succeeding. Aged 22, Theate played 31 Serie A games last season with Bologna, which bought him this summer from Ostend, the day after a loan in 2021-2022.
It could only be the second recruit of this transfer window in Rennes after that of Steve Mandanda, who arrived free from Marseille. Fourth in Ligue 1 last season, the Rouge et Noir will play in the Europa League in a few weeks and currently only have two professional central defenders with Omari (currently injured) and Badé.