Rennes’ Esteban Lepaul subject of Napoli and Atletico Madrid interest

Esteban Lepaul (26) is currently the top-scorer in Ligue 1 McDonald’s with 19 goals. It looks unlikely that he will be caught in the race for the Golden Boot, however, it was not enough for him to be nominated for the UNFP Awards. But his form has been enough for a couple of Europe’s top clubs to come sniffing, as per a report from Foot Mercato.

Lepaul’s goals have Stade Rennais in contention to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. A qualification for that competition would help Rennes retain the French striker, potentially, but doing so already looks like a difficult task.

Whilst the Breton club consider giving Lepaul a pay rise, Atletico Madrid have already made an enquiry, as have Napoli, whose enquiry has come more recently. There are other, unnamed, European clubs in the race, but there is not high interest in Ligue 1. Given the financial difficulties of French clubs, they may be put off by Rennes’ €30m price-tag.