‘I didn’t understand certain behaviour’ – Pierre Lees-Melou questions Brest’s ‘clumsy’ handling of Rennes transfer interest

Speaking exclusively to L’Équipe, Pierre Lees-Melou (30) has criticised Stade Brestois’ handling of Stade Rennais’ transfer interest.

Lees-Melou has had a standout season at Brest, by his own admission, the best of his career. “Honestly, in terms of enjoyment, since the coach arrived (Eric Roy), these are my best years,” the Frenchman told L’Équipe. The former Norwich City man is nominated for the UNFP Player of the Season, a prize that he believes should be awarded to Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé (25). “There isn’t really much debate,” said Lees-Melou. 

However, the fact he is in the running attests to the incredible season he has had at Brest. His individual performances have contributed to a collective over-performance at Les Ty-Zéfs. Many tipped Roy’s side for relegation, yet two games from the end of the season, Brest are third in Ligue 1 and on course for UEFA Champions League football. 

Rennes, who are preparing for Nemanja Matić's (35) departure, have seen a €10m bid for Pierre Lees-Melou (30) rejected. Brest are holding out for €20m. Rennes have also enquired about Reims' Amir Richardson (21) – full story. (RMC, L'Éq) ⬇️https://t.co/YI46gtkAdJ

However, there was a chance that Lees-Melou could have left mid-season. As he tells L’Équipe, he “doesn’t regret” staying with Brest, however, he was critical of Brest’s handling of Rennes’ interest in January. 

“It was a difficult period. I didn’t understand some behaviour, from the president (Denis Le Saint) and the sporting director (Grégory Lorenzi). We spoke about it and we didn’t necessarily agree. There are still grey areas. When a President blocks you, you don’t have a choice. Things were handled clumsily but with the season we’ve had, I don’t have any regrets,”