Stéphane Guivarc’h, Shabani Nonda, Sylvain Wiltord, Alexander Frei and even Martin Terrier: Stade Rennais has always had attackers who have marked the history of Ligue 1. Estéban Lepaul stands today as the worthy offensive heir of the Rouge et Noir. However, the former SCO Angers player almost never landed on the banks of the Vilaine. For a long time, the SRFC has in fact prioritized the track leading to Conrad Harder. The Danish striker’s sudden about-face towards RB Leipzig ultimately decided otherwise. To the delight of Rennes supporters… but to the great dismay of those of the German club, terribly disappointed by the starving performance of Harder, author of barely 2 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches.
Quite the opposite of Estéban Lepaul who delights Roazhon Park. Current top scorer in the championship with 19 goals (including only 3 penalties) and 5 assists in 32 appearances, the number 9 of the Breton club is at the top of his art. At 26 years old, and after an atypical career (the native of Auxerre was still playing in National at Épinal in January 2024), his progress commands respect. His sense of goal, his movement and his spontaneity make this instinctive striker the most decisive player in France (24 times), ahead of Mason Greenwood (21 times), Folarin Balogun (18 times) and far ahead of Ballon d’Or Ousmane Dembélé (16 times).
The UNFP trophies forget it, Europe is watching it
High-level performances which, curiously, were not enough to see him among the nominees for the title of best player in Ligue 1 at the UNFP trophies. Not enough to shake the confidence of a boy who has come a long way and who has no intention of stopping there. If the prospect of joining the French team in the very short term remains in the back of his mind, Estéban Lepaul is above all aiming for the symbolic bar of 20 goals in L1… and the rest will come naturally. But what about its future in the short and medium term?
Stade Rennais is obviously rubbing its hands at having the best pyrotechnician in the elite and has absolutely no intention of giving him up during the off-season. But the courtiers are already knocking at the door. As revealed a few weeks ago, Atlético de Madrid came to the information. And the Colchoneros are not the only ones. According to our information, several European teams, including Napoli, are very interested. On the Ligue 1 side, on the other hand, it is for the moment dead calm in terms of interests.
Estimated at a minimum of 30 million euros, Estéban Lepaul’s market value could further increase during the summer. As for the Breton club, it is seriously considering revising its striker’s emoluments upwards, with a significant salary increase in the mix. Enough to calm summer heat? Response during the summer.
