Ismaël Koné to return to Marseille upon expiry of Rennes loan | OneFootball

Stade Rennais will not make Ismaël Koné’s (22) loan move from Olympique de Marseille permanent, according to a report from L’Équipe.

Koné only joined Marseille from Watford last summer but struggled to settle in the South of France. Initially disrupted by injury, a series of poor performances saw him loaned out to Rennes in January. That deal reached with the Breton club included the option to make the move permanent for a fee of €14m. However, despite making 13 appearances for Les Rennais, including four starts, in the second part of the season, the club are not expected to exercise that option.

Koné, who scored against his parent club – and celebrated it – on the final day of the Ligue 1 season, will therefore return to Marseille, rather than remaining in Brittany. It remains to be seen, however, whether OM will opt to retain the Canada international, or look to offload him.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle