Highly-rated Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr has revealed he turned down Barcelona this summer to join Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais.
The 19-year-old left Metz this week and had also been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund, but believed a move to the Camp Nou this season would have been ‘too early’.
"It's my pleasure to sign at Stade Rennais,” Sarr told the club’s official website.
“The adventure of Rennes will soon begin for me, I already feel red and black.
"I resumed with FC Metz thinking to stay there to continue to progress. I had the opportunity to join Rennes and I am very proud of it. For me, leaving FC Metz to join FC Barcelona was too early.
"Rennes is the club that can still make me progress. My margin for progression is still important. I still have to progress defensively and offensively be more decisive.
“With Christian Gourcuff [Rennes Coach], I am convinced that I will succeed.''
Image via @FCMetz
