Manchester City and Aston Villa are keeping a close eye on Estéban Lepaul’s (26) remarkable performances with Rennes, L’Equipe can reveal. The 26-year-old was Ligue 1’s best goalscorer last season with a 21-goal haul. On the back of his stunning achievement, which greatly helped Rennes securing Europa League football for this campaign, Lepaul has been rewarded with a contract extension, tying him with Les Rouge et Noir until 2030.

Lepaul carried on his goalscoring form in logging Rennes’ second strike against back-to-back UEFA Champions League winners PSG on Sunday (2-2). Lepaul scored in each of Rennes’ last six Ligue 1 games, and it would not be a surprise to see him called up by France’s national team manager Zinédine Zidane for the first time next month.

L’Equipe understands that Atlético de Madrid, Napoli and Como have already shortlisted Lepaul. Now, major Premier League sides have also registered an interest with Manchester City and Aston Villa. The Cityzens and the Villans could be in the market for a centre-forward should Omar Marmoush and Ollie Watkins were to leave their respective sides. Rennes are adamant that Lepaul has no intention to hand in a transfer request, and the Ligue 1 club does not envision him leaving already.