Ex-Man Utd star Nemanja Matic goes on STRIKE and spotted fleeing Rennes as French club release damning statement
NEMANJA MATIC has been spotted at a train station in Rennes after going on strike at the club.
Matic, 35, told Ligue 1 outfit Rennes he wanted to quit following weeks of tension with club chiefs.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea star joined them from Roma in the summer and has a contract running until 2025.
However, six months in and Matic has had enough of his situation in France and is even prepared to RETIRE if Rennes fail to agree to a deal for his transfer.
Reports suggest he has struggled to gel with team-mates and there have been complications regarding his children’s schooling.
Rennes confirmed in a statement that Matic had failed to attend the team’s latest training session and described the behaviour as “wholly incomprehensible”.
Matic has gone one step further by fleeing the club after he was pictured at a train station on Wednesday.
His family are reported to be in London, where Matic is believed to have been heading.
French outlet L’Equipe reported he had skipped training on Tuesday and emptied his locker, as well as leaving the squad’s WhatsApp group.
Rennes are said to have rejected two transfer bids for the Serbian from Lyon – who Matic has already agreed personal terms with – out of principle.
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A Foot Mercato report adds club chiefs are stunned by the events but will not bow to his demands.
A club statement said: “Naturally receptive to the personal well-being of their players, the club mention that every term necessary to the proper integration of Nemanja Matić and his entourage has been carried out with the utmost transparency.
“Stade Rennais FC have always worked to put their players, in particular foreign, in the best possible conditions to express their skills on the pitch.
“SRFC are now waiting to hear the player’s explanations and are determined to take the necessary measures to protect their interests.”
Matic won three Premier League titles with Chelsea, as well as an FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
The defensive midfielder also won the Portuguese domestic Treble with Benfica in 2014.
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