Rennes are actively planning for the exit of reported Liverpool target Arthur Theate.
Theate has emerged as a candidate to be Liverpool’s new, left-sided centre-half signing. Reports from the weekend claimed that the Reds have even been in touch with the 23-year-old to discuss a move to Anfield.
And according to French outlet L’Equipe, his current club are drawing up plans in case Theate does depart.
Ironically, Rennes are said to be ready to target Liverpool defender Joel Matip if they lose the Belgium international.
Liverpool themselves aren’t mentioned in this particular report, but it is claimed that Theate joining RB Leipzig is ‘on stand-by.’
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Rennes preparing for Theate exit
The only scenario in which Matip would join Rennes this summer is if a replacement at Liverpool had already been brought in.
Even then, a new centre-back signing would ideally be in addition to the Cameroonian, rather than instead of him.
So, there could be a scenario here where Theate joins Leipzig, Matip goes to Rennes and Liverpool get… who?
There are a few names circulating out there. The most popular of which right now appears to be Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie.
But it also must be said that Theate himself has been fairly heavily tipped to be on Liverpool’s radar.
If they do want him, Rennes would like Matip in return and that’s the only way to get the deal done, then the Reds should really think about it.
The Ligue 1 side are already seemingly ready to accept that Theate could be moving on. In Matip, Liverpool could hold a trump card to make sure his next step is to Anfield.