Rennes president Olivier Letang has joked that Wahbi Khazri needs to stop scoring goals, or risk Sunderland driving up his asking price.
The attacking midfielder is on a season-long loan at Rennes from Sunderland and the French side are already keen to keep him on a permanent basis.
But Letang is aware that will be difficult given there is no purchase option in the loan agreement; Khazri is also paid an English standard salary, another issue for the Ligue 1 club.
And the president joked the man who has scored six goals in ten appearances so far needs to stop putting the ball in the back of the net.
"There is a loan with no option to buy", Letang was quoted as saying by French outlet Buzzsport.
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"Since he is under contract with an English club, I will say this in the tone of a joke: he must stop scoring goals!
"The more he scores, the more we will have problems – but really, it's a joke."
Khazri has helped Rennes to sit in a lofty sixth spot in Ligue 1 so far this season, just two points off a Europa League place.
He scored in his side's Coupe de la Ligue win over heavyweights Marseille in midweek; a 2-2 draw meant a penalty shootout, which Rennes then won 4-3.
