Stade Rennes have entered the contest to sign Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez, adding French top-flight interest to an already crowded field of European suitors for the Nigerian international.

Fernandez arrived at Ibrox last summer from League One club Peterborough United in a deal worth around £3.5 million. In a single season, he transformed himself into one of the most coveted defenders in Scottish football, winning Rangers' Player of the Season award and earning a spot in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Season.

His contributions stretched beyond defensive duties — the 24-year-old registered five goals in 27 league appearances, an exceptional return for a centre-back. That form also earned him three caps for Nigeria, capping an outstanding debut year in Glasgow.

European giants also monitoring Fernandez

According to French outlet Ouest-France, Fernandez is one of three central defenders on Rennes' shortlist as the club looks to reinforce its backline. However, Rennes face formidable competition: Feyenoord, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Dortmund are all tracking the Nigeria international.

Rangers are expected to hold out for a considerable profit on their initial £3.5 million investment should they choose to sell during this transfer window. Given the level of interest from across Europe, a significant fee appears increasingly likely.