Rennes coach Bruno Genesio has not played down reports suggesting a move for Barcelona s Samuel Umtiti, adding the star is a high-level player .
The Ligue 1 outfit have been linked for a move for the France international, who endured a torrid 2021-22 campaign at Camp Nou rocked by injury.
A Europa League qualifying finish for Rennes has left Genesio seeking sports guarantees in regard to his transfer aims, and the World Cup winner whom he previously coached at Lyon would fit the bill.
Sam is a player I know perfectly well, he stated. I trained him as a youth player and then in the Lyon first team. That creates a bond.
You all know his history, his qualities [and] the setbacks he had last year. But he is still a high-level player, and we are interested in high-level players,
Genesio touched on his desire to reinforce Rennes squad too, adding that he needs an influx of fresh talent to replicate their 2021-22 feats.
I want to have sports guarantees, he stated. We just had a very good season. To continue, we need a quality group.
I needed to have a lot of answers in the backbone of the team that we were going to be able to maintain and what we were able to do in terms of reinforcements.
