Rennes in pole position to sign Marseille’s Lilian Brassier

According to a report from RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Stade Rennais are in pole position to sign Olympique de Marseille defender Lilian Brassier (25). In the latest update in a complicated deal, Marseille are currently in advanced negotiations with Stade Brestois to find a solution in order to move on the defender. The Frenchman only joined in the summer on a loan move with an obligation to buy set at €12m.

OM would have to terminate the loan deal with Brest and thus trigger an early obligation to buy clause early. It requires talks with Stade Brestois as well as the club interested in buying Brassier. Stade Rennais, Racing Club de Lens, and both VFB Stuttgart and Wolfsburg have previously been reported as interested in the defender.

Brassier, despite limited game time under Roberto De Zerbi, has been featuring regularly for Les Olympiens since the turn of the year. Whilst he was initially promising against Lille in the Coupe de France, his performances dipped against Strasbourg and notably during OM’s defeat to OGC Nice last weekend in the Mediterranean derby (2-0). The defender was twice at fault for Les Aiglons’ opening goal. A way back for Brassier looks increasingly unlikely, especially after head coach Roberto De Zerbi’s comments following the match.

“I ask a lot of the center-backs and they have to do a lot, because they play for OM and if they can’t do it, they’re no good for OM,” said the Italian coach in his post-match press conference. “With me, central defenders have to play the game, and if they don’t want to, they can go to the stands.”

GFFN | George Boxall