Rennes pull plug on Dutruel deal

RENNES have finally given up hope of signing Richard Dutruel, after failing to strike a deal with the Barcelona player.

The goalkeeper is well down the pecking order at Camp Nou and wants to move on for first-team football, but a transfer to Rennes now appears to be out of the question.

The player recently said there was a delay over his settlement with Barca, and Rennes appear to have finally lost patience.

The wrangling appeared to irk with the French outfit, with general manager Pierre Dreossi saying: "At a certain time, you have to say stop.

"We made strong financial efforts but could not go beyond a certain point."

Rennes' communications director Jerome Poupard echoed Dreossi`s sentiments, saying: "We have failed to reach agreement with either Barca or the player.

"As a matter of principle, we must not be forced to pay beyond our means.

"We will now explore other options in our search for a goalkeeper."

Reports are suggesting that Monaco`s Senegal ace Tony Sylva is the man they have turned their attentions to.

Sylva had a fine World Cup, but is fourth choice in the Principality and may jump at the chance of regular first-team football.

Dutruel has a contract with Barca until 2004, and will have to strike a compensation package deal with the Camp Nou side before any other teams come forward.

In other news, Rennes` talented young midfielder Gael Danic could be about to take a season-long loan deal with Guingamp.

Guingamp boss Bertrand Marchand knows the player from his time at Rennes, and is keen to bring him to the club in order to help them improve on their disappointing efforts of last term.