Hans Hateboer is open to a return to FC Groningen, which has a significant need at right-back due to injuries to Marco Rente and Tyrique Mercera. According to his former teammate, Michael de Leeuw, the 32-year-old has not yet spoken with FC Groningen but is receptive to a conversation. The thirteen-time Dutch international became a free agent this summer as his contract with Stade Rennes was not extended. Earlier in the summer, Groningen's technical director, Frank van Mosselveld, had indicated a return for Hateboer was a possibility, and he confirmed there had been contact but nothing more. Van Mosselveld also mentioned his understanding that the player was having a house built in the area and that it would be unusual not to consider an available player of his standing. According to Transfermarkt, the player's current market value is €1.80m. It was reported that Rennes acquired him from Atalanta in August 2024 for a fee of €2.7 million.