On August 13, 2025, the African transfer market is particularly active with the imminent signing of Mahdi Camara by Stade Rennais. Initially reported close to OGC Nice, the 27-year-old French-Gambian central midfielder ultimately chose Rennes after advanced negotiations between the two Breton clubs. A transfer fee of around 8 million euros is mentioned, with a four-season contract already agreed upon between Camara and the Breton club, attracting the player through the vision of the management and coach Habib Beye.
Mahdi Camara, whose market value is estimated at 9 million euros, was under contract with Stade Brestois until 2027. This transfer reflects a strong trend in the 2025 summer transfer window where African players continue to gain increasing attention on the European continent. Rennes’ squad strengthening also reflects a strategy to rise in the French championship relying on talents from the African diaspora.
This move comes simultaneously with another major offer for an African player in Ligue 1, as Nottingham Forest made a bid of 31 million euros excluding bonuses for Dilane Bakwa, a French-Congolese right winger from RC Strasbourg Alsace, valued at around 25 million euros. These transactions demonstrate the growing prominence and increasing valuation of African players on the European market.
Mahdi Camara’s transfer to Rennes fits a dynamic where clubs reinforce their teams with high-potential players who are both sportingly effective and financially attractive. For enthusiasts and specialists of African football, this move further consolidates the notable and influential presence of African talents in the European football landscape for the 2025-2026 season.
