Brest have felt hard done by when it comes to refereeing decisions. There was a particular feeling of grievance during their loss against AS Monaco back in early November. “The overriding emotions are frustration, incomprehension, anger. We don’t know why VAR is called upon when the initial decision is in favour and not when it’s the other way around. In French football, we decide a lot of close matches, like tonight’s match, not necessarily with refereeing decisions, but VAR decisions […] Maybe it’s incompetence, I don’t know,” said Roy, in a press conference, attended by Get French Football News. 

It was reported later that month that Brest were expected to lodge an official request for VAR to be scrapped. L’Équipe now report that that request has now been sent to the LFP, who must deliberate the matter next Wednesday. Whilst other clubs share Brest’s grievances regarding VAR decisions, none have joined Les Ty Zefs in calling for it to be scrapped entirely. Brest’s chances of seeing their request prove successful are extremely slim.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

After an incredible first half of the season, Brest’s players are garnering attention this January. Whilst Lilian Brassier could leave the club, according to Le Saint, Les Pirates are not open to parting ways with Lees-Melou, who only signed a contract extension until 2027 in November. 

Lees-Melou is the subject of considerable interest from Rennes, who are in the market for a replacement for Nemanja Matić. The Serbian midfielder left Brittany in order to force through a transfer, and whilst he has now returned, it is nonetheless expected that he will leave the club this month. 

However, Les Rennais may have to look elsewhere for a replacement for Matić. Le Saint said that Lees-Melou will still be at the club come the end of the month, adding, “We were prepared for [Rennes’ interest]. We want to plan for the long term with Pierre […] he is the artisan of the team’s good results at the start of the season,” Le Saint told Prime Video Sport during Brest’s 2-0 victory over Montpellier on Sunday.

That stance has seemingly been accepted by Lees-Melou, who said, “We can’t predict the future. Stade Rennais are a very good club, you can’t deny that […] If I’m untransferable, then I won’t move.”

According to L’Équipe, Brest have already rejected a bid from Rennes for Lees-Melou. The bid is thought to be considerably below Brest’s €20m valuation of the former Norwich City midfielder. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Brassier, a mainstay in this season’s highly successful Brest side, is attracting interest this January. The French centre-back is notably sought after by Monaco, who despite signing Thilo Kehrer, are open to signing another defender this month. However, the arrival of a player is linked to Guillermo Maripán’s (29) future. The Chilean is a target for Stade Rennais, but Get French Football News understands that a deal for the defender’s transfer is not advanced. 

According to L’Équipe, the Principality club submitted an offer worth a little under €10m for Brassier, which was rejected by Brest, however, they could yet return with an improved bid. Brest president Denis Le Saint stated that it is not certain that Brassier will still be at the club come the end of January, whilst the defender himself is also unsure of his future.

“I worked to get these offers and I am happy about that. There is a chance that I stay, there is a chance that I’ll leave. I’m not overthinking it,” Brassier said after Brest’s 2-0 victory over Montpellier HSC on Sunday. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

As reported by Ouest-France and confirmed by L’Équipe, Rennes have submitted a €10m offer for Lees-Melou, who is part of a Brest side that currently sit in the European places. The French midfielder recently renewed his contract, and as a result, Les Pirates are not going to let him leave on the cheap. Les Rennais’ meagre offer has therefore been rejected, with Brest holding out for €20m for Lees-Melou. 

Rennes have also enquired about the availability of Richardson, who is currently in international duty with Morocco ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Reims midfielder doesn’t necessarily match the exact profile that Rennes are after, according to L’Équipe, but the Breton club are nonetheless considering a move for the promising player. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

L’Équipe reports that Matić emptied his locker on Tuesday evening and this Wednesday morning left Rennes with his family. The player only signed with Les Rouges et Noirs in the summer but has since then become disillusioned with life in Rennes. 

The disagreement with the club appears to be based on a misunderstanding that Matić had when agreeing to represent Rennes this season. He believed that there would be an international school in the city where his children could be educated, as they do not speak French. 

However, no such school exists in Rennes, this fact coupled with the general poor performances and the midseason sacking of the manager who convinced Matić to join the project has forced the player’s hand, as he seeks an early exit. 

Nemanja Matić a quitté Rennes ce matin avec sa famille et ses valises (ici en photo à la gare). Le milieu de terrain serbe ne devrait plus rejouer avec les Rouge et Noir. Il avait vidé son casier à la Piverdière en début de semaine. #SRFC pic.twitter.com/z0J9yLQ0r0

— Clément Gavard (@Clem_Gavv) January 10, 2024

Matić replacement lined up 

This has left the club scrambling to find a replacement for the midfielder who has in his short time in Brittany become a key component within the midfield. 

According to L’Équipe, Rennes will look to explore the option of Stade Brestois’ Pierre Lees-Melou (30). The experienced midfielder has had a standout start to the season for Les Pirates, as his team unexpectedly occupy fourth spot in the league. 

It will be a tough task for Rennes to convince their local rivals to sell a key player during the middle of a historically good season for Brest.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The Dutch goalkeeper arrived in France in 2021 when he made the move from AZ Alkmaar to Brest. From that moment on, Bizot has been the undisputed starter between the sticks for his new side, having missed only one game since arriving in Brittany. This level of consistency has undoubtedly helped steer Brest away from the edge of relegation in his two full seasons at the club. 

Les Pirates finished 11th and then 14th with Bizot and despite a midseason wobble last season, they were able to pull out of a drop that claimed four teams. However, this year has been a different story for the club and keeper as their new manager Eric Roy, has transformed the team into an entirely different beast. 

Bizot’s parents harboured lofty expectations

Bizot has kept seven clean sheets at the halfway point of this season, almost as many as he kept throughout the entirety of the previous season before when he secured eight. This is in part because of the dramatic improvements to his save percentage with Bizot now saving around 80% of the shots that he’s faced compared to 68% and 73% in the previous years. This coupled with the overall defensive improvements made by this Brest side has created a mean prospect for rival Ligue 1 attacks to overcome. 

How Brest will cope in the second half of the season and whether they can mount what looked like the most unlikely of podium challenges will likely come down to how long Bizot can keep this high level of performance up. If he can, then it could well represent a historic year for a club whose highest-ever finish was eighth place in the 1986-87 season.

The former Ajax academy product grew up with high expectations, not least from his own parents, who wanted to “make him a superstar.” The Dutchman struggled to live up to those high expectations, but at 32 years old, his career is ageing like a fine wine. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Del Castillo developed through the talent factory at Olympique Lyonnais’ youth academy but failed to break into the first team, needing loan spells at Bourg En Bresse and Nîmes Olympique to find consistent football. These loans might not have helped his case with Les Gones with the winger only featuring twice for the club, but they did earn the Frenchman a move to Stade Rennais. 

Three years in Brittany allowed for him to showcase his playmaking credentials but in the final year, a lengthy absence due to an injury lost him his starting role and drew the curtains on his time in Rennes. From there, Del Castillo appeared to take a step down when in the summer transfer window of 2021 he moved to local rivals Brest, but it is here that his career has truly begun to flourish. 

Roy keen for Del Castillo to add defensive element to his game

Unlike at Rennes, Del Castillo’s third year at Brest has been a revelation where the winger has become the first name on the teamsheet. The winger’s threat had previously been limited to his ability to construct goals for his teammates, but there has been a transformation this season, where the Frenchman has now added an eye for goal to his game. 

Del Castillo leads Les Pirates in goals and assists with five each after seventeen games played. For the first time in his career, there is now a reliance on the winger to change the fate of matches and this has rewarded Brest with an already historic season where they entered the halfway point in fourth place. 

This evolution has come with the appointment of Roy as the Brest manager the summer just passed. However, despite Del Castillo attaining a new level under his manager, Roy is reluctant to allow his star to become complacent, “He’s a bit mischievous; people think he lacks stamina, but he can make the effort. If he commits defensively, he’ll be even more potent offensively as he’ll be in sync with the team. That’s where I want him to elevate his game,” said Roy.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Brassier is one of the most coveted assets in Ligue 1 this January. As reported by Foot Mercato, AS Monaco and Porto are both interested in the Frenchman, who has been a pillar of Brest’s start-of-season success. Brassier is under contract with Brest until the summer of 2025, however, it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will see that contract out. 

Monaco determined in Brassier pursuit

AC Milan are in the market for defensive reinforcements this January, and it seems their shortlist is not dissimilar to that created by Monaco. Like the Principality club, AC Milan are also interested in Brassier, as well as West Ham United’s Thilo Kehrer. 

However, according to Foot Mercato, Monaco remain in pole position to sign Brassier, with Ouest-France adding that the Principality club are determined to complete the signing. Brest are asking for around €10m for Brassier. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Brassier is under contract with Brest until the summer of 2025, however, it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will see that contract out. 

Monaco, who despite their third-place standing in Ligue 1, have been poor defensively, are looking to reinforce their back-line this winter. A move for Brassier is being explored by the Principality club, however, they are simultaneously exploring alternatives. 

Porto have now enquired about Brassier and are considering making an offer to Brest. The Ligue 1 side are reticent to part ways with Brassier, who has been a big part of their success in the opening half of the season, however, it will be difficult for them to resist offers upwards of €10m. Given that a bidding war may ensue, it looks increasingly likely that that figure will be reached. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle