Clubless Xeka candidate at Stade Rennes: Joker transfer also possible

Joker transfer also possible

Since his €14m move from SC Freiburg last summer, Baptiste Santamaria has been an integral part of FC Stade Rennes’ midfield. Due to an ankle injury suffered against AJ Auxerre last weekend, the 27-year-old had to be substituted after eleven minutes in the 5-0 win, but the Frenchman is threatened with a long compulsory break. Santamaria reportedly needs surgery and could be out for up to five months. Rennes is therefore thinking about signing a joker – with such injuries it is allowed in Ligue 1 to sign a player even after the transfer has ended. The rule would not have to be applied to Xeka without a club.

Breton coach Bruno Génésio recently said: “We’ll see how long Santamaria will be out and maybe we’ll do something if the injury is too long. If that’s the case, we’ll think about drawing a joker.” Paragraph 213 of the regulations of the French Football Association FFF states that clubs from Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 may sign a so-called “joker” in addition to contractless professionals. One player may be transferred within the leagues between the end of the summer transfer window (September 1) and the start of the winter transfer window (January 1, 2023). Last year, for example, Girondins Bordeaux made use of this rule and secured striker M’Baye Niang (27) from Rennes after the end of the transfer period.

In the case of Xeka, on the other hand, this rule would not have to be applied at all, as the 27-year-old Portuguese has been without a club since his contract with LOSC Lille ended at the end of June. With a market value of 9 million euros, he is one of the most valuable professionals who are still without a club in most European leagues after the transfer has ended. According to the portal “Foot MercatoRennes got in touch with Xeka and wants to wrap up a commitment as quickly as possible.

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