Real Madrid: Camavinga deal depends on Champions League
The in-demand midfielder has a gentleman's agreement to remain at Rennes if the Ligue 1 side, currently third, reach the Champions League next season.
Real Madrid have set their sights firmly on Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga and will turn all of their attention on the youngster if a bid to lure Paul Pogba from Manchester United fails to bear fruit this summer. The France international is believed to be Zinedine Zidane's primary target despite an injury ravaged campaign at Old Trafford but Camavinga, who has been valued at €50m by Rennes, remains high on the list of potential arrivals at the Bernabéu.
However, there are obstacles in Madrid's path towards the 17-year-old sensation. Firstly, Rennes are not keen on selling: "I always advise him to remain at Rennes for another season because this is the club where he learned his trade," his coach, Julien Stéphan has said.
But there is another issue, according to L'Equipe: Camavinga has a gentleman's agreement to remain ar Rennes for another season if the club reaches the Champions League. However, that agreement was made with former president Olivier Létang, who was reportedly sacked in February over negotiations with Madrid concerning the midfielder. As things stand in Ligue 1, Rennes are third and will go into the Champions League third qualifying round.
Madrid's Camavinga bid dependent in Ligue 1 completion
Nicolas Holveck, the new president at Rennes, has every intention of holding on to their prized asset and Madrid have yet to make a formal bid for Camavinga. There is also the issue of whether or not the season will be concluded. Ligue 1, like the rest of Europe's top divisions, is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic and it remains unclear if the current campaign will be decided on the pitch or on paper.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has announced that Ligue 1 is aiming to restart the 2019-20 season on 17 June, with a scheduled end to the campaign a month later on 25 July, but that timetable remains up in the air. If the season is called off, Rennes will go into the Champions League without another ball being kicked and Camavinga will have to decide whether to keep his word about remaining for a European campaign.