L’ ASSE will strengthen this winter to try to get out of the relegation zone. The Greens will also part ways with unwanted players.
ASSE: Several avenues explored after Gnagnon and Sako
The winter transfer window promises to be eventful at ASSE, in terms of arrivals and departures. Last in Ligue 1, the Loire club must strengthen in January, in order to try to stay in the top flight. Without a substantial budget, AS Saint-Étienne is doing it with the means at hand, recruiting players free from any commitment. This is the case Joris Gnagnon (central defender) and Bakary Sako (left winger) arrived at the Greens without transfer compensation. Other avenues are also explored by Loïc Perrin (new sports coordinator) and Jean Luc Buisine (director of the recruitment unit).
They are looking for players in the form of a loan without an option to buy, but with bearable wages for the finances of ASSE. The two leaders are thus on the heels of Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace center-forward), Zinedine Ferhat (right winger of Nîmes Olympique) or even of Ousseynou Ba (central back of Olympiakos). On Wednesday, the lead to Lys Mousset (25), a striker lacking playing time at Sheffield United (England D2), was revealed.
The Stéphanois are also looking for a goaltender to be No. 1 at the post, following the serious injury of Etienne Green. The name of Steve mandanda circulated for a while at ASSE, but the OM goalkeeper would not be delighted at the idea of a six-month freelance at Saint-Étienne.
AS Saint-Étienne has to sell for 20 M €?
To balance its books by the end of the season, the Stéphanois must sell players or continue to reduce their payroll. According to information from The team, Holy “Would have committed to the DNCG to sell players, for € 20 million by June 30, 2022”. And if we are to believe the sports daily, the Loire club wishes to separate from five players at least this winter: Bilal Benkhedim, Assane Diousse, Alpha Sissoko and Ignacio Ramirez, all at the end of their contract on June 30, 2022.
The source also cites Jean-Philippe Krasso, whose lease runs until the end of June 2023, but which is not decisive since his arrival at ASSE in the summer of 2020. It should be noted that Ignacio Ramirez is on loan to ASSE by Liverpool FC de Montevideo (Uruguay), but the Uruguayan center-forward failed to convince the Stéphane technical staff. In 6 appearances for the Greens, including 5 in Ligue 1, he has not scored a goal and has not provided any assist.