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The transfer that we've all known was going to happen - and just wouldn't actually happen - has finally happened. Jean Makoun has been given to Ligue 1 side Rennes on a year-long loan. The French club confirmed the news today and Reuters has the news for we anglophones. This brings to an end the saga of Jean Makoun, and in all likelihood brings the Cameroonian midfielders career at Aston Villa to a close as well.
While the terms of the transfer are not detailed in either report, it seems safe to assume that Rennes will be picking up some of Makoun's salary. Assuming they are, the move makes some sense, as it frees money from the wage bill. If that proves not to be true, this move is absolutely insane.
In an interesting coincidence, Makoun has been brought in to partially replace Alexander Tettey who was signed by Norwich City, thus completing the triangle: Lambert (Norwich -> Villa), Makoun (Villa -> Rennes), Tettey (Rennes -> Norwich).
Makoun is a talented player, and one who would have been fascinating to watch in conjunction with Karim El Ahmadi, but sadly we won't be getting that chance.