Denis Bouanga Linked With Rennes Switch

Rennes are lining up a summer swoop for Saint Etienne attacker Denis Bouanga according to reports from France.

Transfer Traven claims that Rennes president Nicolas Holveck is looking to finally get his man after failing to land the Gabon international three times during his time with Nimes.

Bouanga has been a starter for Claude Puel this season and would appear to be a realistic target for the Red and Blacks, although things could change at the Ligue 1 outfit if the former Leicester manager gets the sack.

The 25-year-old has had a blistering season in France this term, tallying a total of 12 goals and five assists across all competitions though on the bench, there has been a galaxy of stars at Puel’s side.

But again it has hardly been a fluke season either, as Bouanga notched eight goals and three assists for former club Nimes Olympique before Saint-Etienne snapped him up last summer.

It is uncertain whether the French outfit will be willing to cash in after just one season but the Reds and Black could have their man if they meet the asking price.

Puel has reportedly said that he won’t stand in the player’s way if he wants to further his career elsewhere.

Bouanga came through the ranks at Torus and had a spell on loan at third-tier side Racing Club de Strasbourg before joining Lorient.

The forward, who has the intelligence to adapt to different positions across the front three, was born and raised in France.

He first received a call-up to the Gabon national team for a match against Mauritania on 28 May 2016.

Bouanga made his international debut in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations that was hosted in Gabon in the tournament opener against Equatorial Guinea.