Mikayil Faye signs four-year deal with Rennes
The La Masia graduate left Spain due to Barcelona's persistent financial problems.
RENNES, France — Barcelona defender and teenager prodigy Mikayil Faye signed a four-year contract with Rennes that will keep him in Roazhon Park until 2028. Faye, heralded as one of the best defenders to come out of Barcelona’s academy in recent memory, left due to Barca’s financial strain. Although teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern, and more were interested in signing Faye, only Portuguese side Porto entered negotiations with Barca. Porto and Barca didn’t agree on a price, opening the door for Rennes to negotiate with Barcelona.
Faye talked with former Blaugrana winger Ousmane Dembele, who spent five seasons in Rennes’ academy and another in the first team. Faye left with a positive impression of Rennes after talks with Dembele, Lovro Majer, and club president Olivier Cloarec.
Rennes will pay $11.5 million for Faye’s services, representing nearly $9 million in pure profit after Barca bought Faye from Croatian club NK Kustosija last year for $2.6 million. Part of the deal is a buyback clause that would see Faye return to Barcelona for $28 million and a 30% sell-on clause. Rennes is currently eighth in Ligue 1 after
Faye left Barcelona due to the depth in the central defender position. Faye would have to fight off Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and more for playing time at the number four position.
It’s a good deal for Barcelona. They won’t completely let go of Faye, one of their more talented prospects, but it’s almost like a loan. If Faye flops, they’ve profited around $9 million. If he thrives for Rennes, they can bring him back for $25 million. If he’s sold for a price in between the $11 million Rennes paid for him and the $25 million Barca needs to pay, Barca could earn several million dollars through their sell-on clause.
“I had the opportunity to speak with Ousmane Dembélé and Lovro Majer,” Faye grinned. “They both told me that this was the perfect club to keep progressing and that everything would work out well.”
16 African sides have progressed to the second qualifying round of the CAF Champions League, with South African giants Orlando Pirates the most notable team to advance. Orlando Pirates easily smashed past Malagasy side Disciples FC with a 4-0 second-leg victory to set up a second-round fixture against Jwaneng Galaxy.
The other 15 teams to advance were Gor Mahia, Dekedaha, CBE, Young Africans, APR, Pyramids, Mbabane Swallows, AS Maniema, Red Arrows, Jwaneng Galaxy, Enugu Rangers, Sagrada Esperança, AS Douanes, CR Belouizdad, Samartex, Raja, US Monastir, MC Alger, Djoliba, ASKO Kara, Stade d’Abidjan, Milo, San Pédro, Al Hilal, Al Merrikh, and the winner between Remo Stars/ASFAR. The second round will begin on September 13.
United winger Hannibal Mejbri is primed for an exit from Old Trafford, with Scottish giants Rangers the most interested party. Mejbri is buried behind a wealth of attacking depth, which includes Amad, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and more. Rangers are willing to pay $12 million for Mejbri, but their lack of Champions League football is a red flag for Mejbri. A move to the Championship is also a possibility — promotion contenders Leeds and Burnley could sign the Tunisian target.
In other news from Manchester, United have agreed to sign Mali defender Sekou Koné from Malian side Guidars FC. Koné led Mali to an impressive third place in last year’s U17 World Cup. The move comes through new recruitment director Christopher Vivell, who signed Moussa Yeo, Mamady Diambou, and more from the club. Koné saw interest from the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea but will likely join United’s under-21 squad and occasionally train with United’s senior team.