Stade Rennais firmly keeps its striker Estéban Lepaul, despite the enthusiasm of several English clubs. Teams like Leeds United, AstonVilla and Everton have shown growing interest in the Breton number9, but Rennes leaders remain convinced of the need to keep him in the short term.
Lepaul, who arrived in Rennes from Angers in the summer of 2025, quickly established himself as a pillar of the Rouge et Noir attack. In 2025-2026, he finished top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals, proof of his effectiveness in front of the net. In June of the same year, the club extended his contract until 2030, strengthening its negotiating position. This additional duration makes any sale during the winter transfer window very difficult, as the club has a significant contractual advantage.
English clubs, for their part, see Lepaul as a solution to strengthen their offensive line. Leeds United, AstonVilla and Everton are closely monitoring his performances, assessing the possibility of acquiring a quality striker without having to exceed their budget limits. However, Stade Rennais has clearly indicated that it does not plan to give up its striker immediately. Breton leaders consider the presence of Lepaul as a major sporting issue, especially as he returns from injury after a remarkable start to the season (seven goals in seven Ligue1 matches).
The Breton club has therefore decided to remain patient, leaving the English market to consider a possible acquisition at the end of the 2026-2027 season. This approach allows Rennes to stabilize its attack while retaining the possibility of negotiating an advantageous transfer if the player decides to leave later. The managers therefore remain confident in Lepaul's ability to contribute significantly to the club's ambitions for the seasons to come.