French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes have joined the growing list of clubs interested in signing Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez from Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Fernandez has emerged as one of the most sought-after Nigerian defenders in Europe following an outstanding debut campaign at Ibrox after completing a £3.5 million move from English League One outfit Peterborough United last summer.
The 24-year-old quickly established himself as a key figure in Rangers' defence, producing a series of commanding performances that earned him the club's Player of the Season award and a place in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Season.
In addition to his defensive solidity, Fernandez also proved to be a major threat in attack, scoring five goals in 27 league appearances to cap a remarkable first season with the Glasgow club.
His impressive performances at club level have also been rewarded on the international stage, with the centre-back earning three appearances for the Super Eagles.
According to French publication Ouest-France, Rennes have identified Fernandez as one of three central defenders on their shortlist as they seek to reinforce their defence ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Ligue 1 outfit, however, is expected to face stiff competition for the Nigerian's signature. Dutch giants Feyenoord, Bundesliga clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have all been credited with an interest in the highly-rated defender, while several other European clubs continue to monitor his situation.
Rangers are under no immediate pressure to sell, but the Scottish giants are reportedly prepared to consider offers that reflect the defender's rapid rise in value. Having signed Fernandez for around £3.5 million just a year ago, the Light Blues are expected to demand a substantial profit before sanctioning any transfer.
With interest in the Super Eagles star continuing to gather momentum, the coming weeks could prove decisive as Rangers weigh their options and Europe's top clubs position themselves for what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched transfer battles involving a Nigerian player this summer.