Is Conrad Harder's departure from Rennes permanent?

In the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Conrad Harder, the French club Rennes has faced a setback in their pursuit of the midfielder from Sporting. The deal, which was initially agreed upon for a sum of 24 million euros, has been withdrawn by Rennes.

The stumbling block in the transfer was the possibility of Harder's entourage leaving the door open for other clubs within 72 hours of the transfer deadline. This uncertainty has forced Rennes to consider alternative options.

One such possibility is Monaco striker Breel Embolo. Embolo has already exchanged with Habib Beye a few days ago, and Rennes is reportedly interested in him as a potential replacement for Harder. However, Embolo has only one year left on his contract and is not retained by ASM, which could complicate negotiations.

Another contender is Lucas Stassin from Saint-Etienne. Rennes made an offer of approximately 15 million euros for Stassin, and he has been identified as a potential replacement for Harder. Fotis Ioannidis from Panathinaikos has also been mentioned as a possibility for Rennes.

The race for Harder has been ongoing since early August, with AC Milan also showing interest before changing their mind. Leipzig, who have been reportedly moving in on Harder, announced the transfer on Saturday.

The departure of Harder could potentially leave a gap in Rennes' midfield. Arnaud Kalimuendo, who recently moved to Nottingham Forest, could be a potential replacement if negotiations for his return are reopened. Rennes would presumably miss Kalimuendo if Harder were to leave.

Meanwhile, the future of Lois Openda, another Rennes player, remains uncertain. As previously mentioned, his future could still lie elsewhere.

The transfer market is a rollercoaster ride, and this saga is a testament to that. As the deadline approaches, fans and clubs alike will be keeping a close eye on developments in this exciting transfer tale.