Stade Rennais have reached an agreement to extend Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal’s contract, despite the Morocco defender’s difficult start to the season.
The 20-year-old remains under contract with the French club until June 2028, but Foot Mercato reports that the two parties have agreed a new deal to secure his future in Brittany.
Ait Boudlal has come under pressure in recent weeks after attracting criticism from both head coach Franck Haise and sporting director Loic Desire. The pair have questioned the level of his performances and expressed concerns over a lack of concentration, which has been linked to the attention surrounding the transfer window.
The centre-back has found it difficult to establish himself as a regular part of Haise’s squad. Since the beginning of the season, he has played in four matches, accumulating 280 minutes of football.
That limited involvement has not altered Rennes’ view of his potential. The club remain committed to working with the young defender and believe he can develop into a more consistent member of the squad.
Rennes maintain faith in Ait Boudlal
The decision to extend Ait Boudlal’s contract underlines the confidence of the Rennes hierarchy, despite his challenging introduction to the campaign. The defender is now expected to respond to the demands of the coaching staff and build greater consistency in his performances.
Ait Boudlal came through the Academie Mohammed VI before moving into European football. His progress has been closely monitored at Rennes, who have opted to continue investing in his development rather than allow his early-season difficulties to change their plans.
The defender’s next opportunity to contribute could come in Stade Rennais’ forthcoming match in the second matchday of the Europa League, when they face OFI Crete.
For now, the club’s position is clear: Ait Boudlal remains part of their long-term plans, even though he has yet to secure a regular starting place and has faced criticism during the opening stages of the season.