Marseille`s Quentin Merlin (23), a left-back, and midfielder Valentin Rongier (30) have reportedly left the club`s pre-season training camp in Zeist, Netherlands. Their departure signals the finalization of their respective transfers to fellow Ligue 1 side Rennes. An agreement in principle has been established between the two clubs for a combined transfer package valued at approximately €22.5 million.
Both players are notable products of the FC Nantes academy. Rennes` acquisition of Merlin directly addresses their requirement for a new left-back, a position recently vacated after their captain, Adrien Truffert, completed a €17 million transfer to AFC Bournemouth. Merlin`s individual transfer fee is estimated at €13 million, with his former club Nantes set to receive a 10% sell-on clause from this amount.
Midfielder Valentin Rongier`s move to Rennes comes as he was entering the final year of his contract with Marseille and had rejected a proposed renewal. Proactively, Marseille had already secured Angel Gomes as a potential replacement for Rongier, ensuring a seamless transition in their midfield ahead of the upcoming season.
