Belgian international defender Arthur Theate has joined Ligue 1 side Rennes on a four-year contract from Italian outfit Bologna, the French club announced. No financial details were revealed but French press reported the deal is worth around $20.4 million.##NAJAVA_MECA_6534646##Theate came through the youth ranks of Belgian clubs Genk and Standard Liege, before signing his first professional contract with Oostende. The 22-year-old moved to Bologna on loan with an obligation to buy in 2021, playing 31 games for the Serie A club.Rennes had been looking to fill the gap following the departure of Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd for West Ham for $35 million. The search has been proving tough as their top target Samuel Umtiti couldn’t prove his fitness to the French club’s leaders.Une première déclaration @ArthurTheate ? 🥰 pic.twitter.com/2iF2RyHJ6M— Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) July 29, 2022 The Bretons look set to bring in another defender, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Joe Rodon reportedly closing in on a loan move to France.
