Rennes target Marseille left-back Quentin Merlin
Quentin Merlin’s future at Olympique de Marseille appears increasingly uncertain as Stade Rennais begin to explore a potential move for the 23-year-old left-back. According to L’Équipe, the Breton side are showing concrete interest in the promising defender following his impressive performances for France’s U21 team at the recent UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Merlin, who joined Marseille from FC Nantes, has just completed a solid campaign in his first full season at the club. Featuring in 46 matches across all competitions, he scored one goal and provided four assists, proving to be a reliable and versatile presence on the left flank. His consistent performances also earned him a regular spot in France’s U21 setup, where he has now amassed 18 caps and scored two goals.
Despite his contribution on the field, Merlin’s position at Marseille is far from secure. The club is actively looking to raise funds during the summer transfer window to support incoming signings, and Merlin is viewed as one of the assets who could generate a significant return. While some within the club are keen to see the young left-back continue his development at OM, financial pressures may ultimately dictate his departure.
This situation has alerted Stade Rennais, who are currently in need of reinforcements at left-back following the departure of Adrien Truffert to Premier League side Bournemouth. The sale of Truffert has left a notable gap in the Rennes defense, particularly with their current backup option, Mahamadou Nagida, still only 20 years old and relatively untested at the top level.
Nagida’s potential is highly regarded within the club, but there is concern that he may not yet be ready to step into a starting role for a side with European ambitions. As a result, Rennes are now assessing their options in the transfer market, and Merlin has emerged as a leading candidate to fill the void.
Euro Football Rumours
For Rennes, signing Merlin would be a strategic move. Not only is he a player with proven Ligue 1 experience, but he also fits the profile of young, dynamic talent that the club has prioritized in recent transfer windows. His ability to contribute in both defense and attack, coupled with his recent international exposure, makes him a valuable prospect for Rennes’ squad.
Whether a deal materializes remains to be seen, as much will depend on Marseille’s asking price and whether Rennes face competition for Merlin’s signature. However, with OM open to sales and Rennes actively in the market, a transfer could develop quickly in the coming weeks.
As the summer window continues to unfold, Quentin Merlin is certainly a name to watch — both for his potential departure from Marseille and for the boost he could bring to a Rennes side looking to reinforce key areas ahead of the new season.
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Should Rennes sign Quentin Merlin?
Bologna-born Giuseppe Bianchi has spent more than a decade living in Rome and writing about Italian football, Spanish football and the Premier League for various Italian football portals and now he writes about European football for Euro Football Rumours. He's been thinking about football transfers pretty much nonstop since the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Aside from writing, he likes to spend his time fishing and rock climbing.
