Arnaud Kalimuendo insists he was never tempted by the chance to join Premier League strugglers Leeds United before leaving Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain for Rennes in an £18 million summer deal, speaking to L’Equipe.
With Patrick Bamford a shadow of the player who plundered 17 top-flight goals a couple of seasons ago – forcing his way into the England reckoning along the way – the lack of attacking depth available to Jesse Marsch at Elland Road is once again setting hands a-wringing in West Yorkshire.
This was not for a lack of trying, of course.
Leeds were willing to pay club-record fees for both Cody Gakpo and Charles de Ketelaere. Gakpo opted to stay at PSV Eindhoven, however, while De Ketelaere only had eyes for AC Milan.
Kalimuendo, meanwhile, reportedly rebuffed Leeds’ advances in favour of an £18 million move to Rennes (90Min).
Leeds United miss out on Arnaud Kalimuendo to Rennes
“There was no other possible decision,” the France U21 international explains. “I didn’t think of the Premier League (because) I wanted to play here (at Rennes), with players I know.
“I watched a lot of matches last season, I saw how Martin (Terrier) and (Benjamin) Bourigeaud play and I really like imagining myself with them in the coach’s system.”
Kalimuendo has scored just once in 10 games so far during an injury-interrupted start to life at Rennes. But what a goal it was; a wonderful touch-and-volley during a Man of the Match display against Strasbourg.
Kalimuendo is the latest in a long line of exciting young talent to leave the Parc des Princes after growing concerned about a lack of first-team opportunities too, following in the footsteps of Mike Maignan, Moussa Diaby and Kingsley Coman.
“A frustration to leave PSG? Not at all,” Kalimuendo adds. “I knew what I wanted (to join). I have always been treated well and I leave there without bitterness. It is a source of pride to have been able to play at the Parc des Princes.
“But I knew it was going to be very hard to play. Progresses comes through the playing time, which I have at Rennes.”
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