Rabat – Stade Rennais has reportedly initiated talks to extend the contract of Moroccan talent Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, as the club looks to ward off interest from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
The French club is reportedly determined to hold onto Aït Boudlal. According to a report from Ouest-France, the club is already planning to offer the defender a new deal to extend his stay beyond his current 2028 expiration date.
The Moroccan international has already emerged as a target for several top sides, with Borussia Dortmund leading the race, considering a move for the young defender to bolster their central defense.
Aït Boudlal has performed an impressive season with Stade Rennais, establishing himself as one of Ligue 1’s most reliable modern center-backs at just 19 years old. He has made 16 appearances with the French club, scoring two times and providing one assist.
After arriving at Rennes for around €1 million in 2024, Aït Boudlal wasted no time positioning himself in the starting lineup, transforming into a defensive cornerstone and the season’s most impressive surprise.
A product of the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Aït Boudlal’s market value has jumped to €10 million. That already significant market value is expected to keep rising, as he is already considered one of the most valuable young defenders in the world.
As Aït Boudlal’s rise continues to catch eyes across Europe, Borussia Dortmund leads the growing interest in his services. But clubs in the Premier League and Eredivisie are also tracking him. For Rennes, the priority is to support his growth and protect their star defender from being lured away by these big European teams.
