Super Eagles transfer: Why Fernandez should choose Rennes despite Arsenal, Chelsea interest

French Ligue 1 side Rennes have entered the race to sign Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez as they prepare for the 2026-27 season and their UEFA Europa League campaign, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 24-year-old centre-back enjoyed an outstanding first full season at Rangers, and his performances have now attracted interest from several clubs across Europe.

According to French outlet Ouest-France, Rennes have drawn up a three-man shortlist to strengthen their defence. Fernandez is one of the names being considered alongside Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Yerson Mosquera.

Rangers, however, are in a strong position. The Scottish giants only signed Fernandez from Peterborough United for about £3.5 million, but after his rapid development, his market value has risen sharply.

Although Transfermarkt currently values him at around €18 million, Rangers are reportedly unwilling to sell unless they receive offers of at least €28 million (£24 million).

Another reason Rangers are demanding a high fee is because Peterborough included a sell-on clause in the transfer. A percentage of any future sale will go back to the English club, meaning Rangers want the biggest possible profit.

Fernandez is also under contract until June 2029, leaving Rennes with little bargaining power if they decide to make an official bid.

The London-born defender switched his international allegiance to Nigeria and has already earned three appearances for the Super Eagles.

Standing at 1.98 metres (6ft 6in), Fernandez became arguably the Scottish Premiership’s most dominant defender during the 2025-26 season. He won Rangers’ Player of the Season award, was selected in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Season and scored five league goals in just 27 appearances.

Rennes are not alone in chasing him. Bundesliga clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have monitored him, while Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham have also followed his progress. Dutch giants Ajax and Feyenoord are also interested.

Is Rennes the right move? Reasons why it could benefit Super Eagles’ Fernandez

A move to Rennes could prove to be a smart decision for Fernandez’s career despite interest from bigger clubs.

Rennes will play in the UEFA Europa League next season. That would allow Fernandez to test himself against strong teams from across Europe while increasing his profile before future transfer windows.

Rennes have also built a reputation for developing young stars into world-class players. The French club helped talents such as Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembélé and Jérémy Doku make the leap to Europe’s biggest clubs, making it an attractive destination for ambitious players.

Another major advantage is playing time. Rennes are actively rebuilding their defence and have already identified Fernandez as one of only three priority centre-back targets. Instead of sitting on the bench at a Premier League giant, he would likely become a regular starter in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Finally, Ligue 1’s physical and fast-paced style matches Fernandez’s strengths perfectly. His height, strength and aerial ability would make him a natural fit, while the league’s tactical demands could further improve his positioning, ball-playing ability and overall defensive game.

Although Europe’s biggest clubs continue to monitor him, Rennes could offer the ideal balance of regular football, European competition and long-term development. If the French club meets Rangers’ asking price, the move could benefit both Fernandez and the Super Eagles as Nigeria continue building towards future international tournaments.