• 26-year-old Esteban Lepaul scored 21 goals for Stade Rennais in Ligue 1 this season.
• Portuguese club Benfica and Italian side Como want to sign the striker.
• Atlético Madrid from Spain have also asked about the player.
• Rennes want €30 million for their top scorer.
• The Frenchman says he prefers to stay at Rennes to play in European competitions.

Esteban Lepaul has become one of the most wanted strikers in French football. The 26-year-old forward moved to Stade Rennais from Angers last summer. He enjoyed an excellent first campaign at Roazhon Park, netting 21 times in Ligue 1. This impressive return made him the club’s leading marksman and secured his spot in the Get French Football News Team of the Year.

Several major European sides are now monitoring his situation. According to Foot Mercato, Atlético Madrid have already made an enquiry about the player. The Spanish giants are searching for a reliable goalscorer. L’Équipe now reports that Benfica and Como have also entered the race to capture his signature.

The French club value their star attacker at roughly €30 million. This asking price could be met as demand for the former Angers player continues to rise. However, Lepaul has expressed a desire to remain with his current employers. He told reporters earlier this month that he sees his future at Rennes.

The striker explained that competing in European tournaments is his priority. Rennes are certain to play in the UEFA Europa Conference League next term. They could secure a place in the Europa League if RC Lens defeat OGC Nice in the Coupe de France final. This prospect aligns perfectly with the player’s ambitions for the upcoming season.

• Esteban Lepaul pledges loyalty to Stade Rennais despite elite club interest
• The 26-year-old leads Ligue 1 scoring charts with 19 goals this season
• Atletico Madrid and Napoli both monitoring the French forward’s situation
• Rennes reportedly value their star striker at €30 million
• The club currently sits in a Europa League position with Champions League hopes alive

Esteban Lepaul has rejected talk of a summer departure from Stade Rennais. The prolific forward says he plans to stay at the French club even though top European sides are watching his progress.

The 26-year-old has found the net 19 times in Ligue 1 this term. This tally places him at the top of the division’s scoring charts. Despite this outstanding form, he did not make the shortlist for the UNFP Awards.

Elite clubs have taken notice of his performances. Sources indicate that Atletico Madrid made an official enquiry about the player. Italian giants Napoli have also registered their interest in securing his signature.

The Brittany club reportedly slapped a €30 million price tag on their star man. However, Lepaul insists money will not lure him away. He wants to test himself in European competition with Rennes.

“My future lies here at Rennes,” the striker stated. “We have targets to achieve together. The next stage for me involves a full campaign with a club that competes in Europe. This setup suits me perfectly. I must prove myself over a season in continental football.”

Les Rouge et Noir currently occupy a Europa League qualification spot. They sit just two points behind the Champions League places with the season drawing to a close.

• Esteban Lepaul leads Ligue 1 with 19 goals this season
• Atletico Madrid and Napoli have made enquiries for the 26-year-old
• Rennes have set a €30 million price tag for the French striker
• Domestic clubs are unlikely to meet the fee due to financial problems
• Champions League qualification could help Rennes keep their star man

Esteban Lepaul has fired 19 goals this term to sit top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts. The 26-year-old looks certain to win the Golden Boot, though he did not earn a nomination for the UNFP Awards.

Despite this snub, his form has drawn attention from big clubs across Europe. Foot Mercato reports that both Atletico Madrid and Napoli are tracking the Stade Rennais forward.

Lepaul’s goals have put the Breton side in the race for a Champions League spot. Qualifying for that competition might help the French club keep their key player, but this now appears a tough task.

The club is considering offering him a pay rise to extend his stay. However, Atletico Madrid have already made contact, and Napoli have followed with their own enquiry.

Other European sides are also watching the situation. Yet interest from within France remains low. Most Ligue 1 teams face money troubles, so Rennes’ €30 million asking price may prove too high for domestic buyers.

• Football analysts compete in a weekly prediction contest using a special scoring system for exact scores, margins, and results.
• Stade Rennais enter the weekend with four consecutive victories, led by the division’s top scorer.
• Olympique Lyonnais seek a third straight win to secure their place in the top three after recently beating Paris Saint-Germain.

Round 32 of the French top flight arrives this weekend. A panel of experts continues their season-long competition to forecast match outcomes. Occasional guest contributors join the regular team. Participants earn three points for perfect score predictions, two points for correct goal differences, and one point for picking the right winner.

Stade Rennais approach this match with excellent momentum. The club has claimed victory in their last four league fixtures. Their recent derby win against FC Nantes required determination, but the squad secured the result. Several players show strong form, including Esteban Lepaul, who currently leads the league scoring charts.

Olympique Lyonnais faced a difficult period earlier this season. Following an impressive winning run at the start of the year, Paulo Fonseca’s team suffered a nine-match winless streak across all competitions. However, the club has recovered strongly. They have won their previous two matches, including a tight victory against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. Now playing at home, Lyon aim to continue this recovery and strengthen their grip on a Champions League qualification spot.