Reims Reject Brighton Hove’s Offer For Munetsi

Stade Reims have kept a stern resolve in hanging on to their star midfieder Nyasha Marshall Munetsi this summer after refusing the English Premier League side Brighton Hove’s offer for the Zimbabwean.

Munetsi impressed last season despite injuries making 24 Ligue 1 appearances scoring five goals and an assist from the midfield for Reims.

His statistics have been favourably compared to some of the best midfielders in the Ligue 1 last season due to his enormous workrate.

The Mabvuku-born midfieder has been compared to the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni who joined Real Madrid from Monaco and Boubacar Kamara who left Marseille for Aston Villa.

According to French publication L’Union, Munetsi (26) will not leave Stade de Reims this summer.

The Zimbabwean midfielder who recently extended his contract to 2026, was in the sights of Brighton Hove as a direct replacement for Yves Bissouma who left for Tottenham. 

But Stade Reims President Jean-Pierre Caillot, is ‘adamant’ Munetsi is not for sale, at least not this summer.

“He has just extended and is untransferable,” said the Reims boss speaking to L’Union . 

“Arrived in 2019 in Reims, Marshall Munetsi played 24 Ligue 1 games last season. He will therefore have to wait before having an exit voucher, which has only been granted to Hugo Ekitike, Pedrag Rajkovic, Nathanael Mbuku and Wout Faes this summer,” said Caillot.

French youthful striker Hugo Ekitike is linked with a move to Newcastle so as Wout Faes who is also on the radar of Lazio.

Goalkeeper Pedrag Rajkovic is linked to Sheffield United while French U20 attacking winger Nathaniel Mbuku is wanted in Germany.

The Zimbabwean international who currently worth €7 million (Euros) is already back at Stade Reims training ahead of the new season.