Arsenal and Liverpool target Paul-Georges Ntep, whose contract with Rennes expires at the end of the season, is reportedly looking ‘more and more likely’ to leave the club in January.
According to a report on TransferMarketWeb, Rennes winger Paul-Georges Ntep is looking likely to leave the Ligue 1 outfit in the upcoming transfer window. Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in securing a transfer for the player, whose contract expires at the end of the current season.
Paul-Georges Ntep is a Cameroon-born attacker who has opted to play for France despite being eligible to play for either of the two nations. The former Auxerre man plays predominantly on the left wing, but is equally capable of playing on the right wing or as a centre forward.
Arsenal and Liverpool were credited with interest in the 24-year-old’s services last month, and it looks like the duo may have the chance to sign Ntep, who seems unwilling to renew his contract at Rennes, as early as January. With Ntep entering the last six months of his contract at the turn of the calendar year, the France international would be allowed to negotiate pre-contract agreements with clubs from other leagues.
Rennes have gauged from the situation that an extension seems highly unlikely, and with the club resigned to losing the player, they may now be open to selling Ntep and getting as much money as possible from the transfer rather than losing him for free at the end of the campaign.
There does not seem to be any dearth of interest in the player, with Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool among the clubs that have shown an interest in the France winger.
Liverpool, especially, are looking to add to their squad depth while also seeking cover for Sadio Mane, who is set to be unavailable in January due to the African Cup of Nations. This means the Reds may be willing to offer Rennes a fairly tidy sum to secure the services of the player in January.
Arsenal, on the other hand, do not seem to be in a hurry to sign the player. However, in the wake of Liverpool’s urgency, the Gunners could be forced to rival the Reds’ offer earlier than expected if they are keen enough to add him to the squad.
Paul-Georges Ntep’s departure from Rennes looks almost certain and it is looking more and more likely that the 24-year-old France international will soon be strutting his stuff in the illustrious Premier League.
