Active at the start of the transfer window with the signings of Sako, Thioub and even Bernardoni, Saint-Etienne is struggling to complete new arrivals.
Pascal Dupraz expects other reinforcements, especially in the offensive sector. Jean-Philippe Mateta is hoped for but for now, the loan of the Crystal Palace striker is still not finalized. As an attacking midfielder, the Greens have also tried to recruit Youcef Belaïli, free since the termination of his contract with Qatar SC. But in an interview with the Algerian site Compétition, Belaïli’s father and agent said he had refused an offer from Saint-Etienne. The Belaïli clan justifies itself by explaining that ASSE was unable to offer a contract of more than six months to the Algerian international due to the uncertainty surrounding the maintenance of the club in Ligue 1.
Krasso sacrificed to relaunch the transfer window?
Tuesday morning 🔛❄️ pic.twitter.com/TlXlcXYrfx
– AS Saint-Etienne (@ASSEofficiel) January 11, 2022
“Indeed, Saint-Étienne is interested in his services. It is a mythical club in France, although it has been on the decline in recent years. We rejected the offer from the start, because Saint-Étienne wants to hire him for a contract of only 6 months with one objective, that of saving the club from relegation to L2. Once this objective is achieved, his contract will be extended; either conditions that do not suit us” launched the father and agent of Youcef Belaïli to the Algerian media. The Stéphanois transfer window could nevertheless get carried away in the coming days, especially if ASSE manages to complete a few departures in order to give itself a little more financial air. At this level, the departure of Jean-Philippe Krasso is in the pipeline. According to information from Progrès, the Stéphanois striker could bounce back to Ajaccio, which has positioned itself to welcome him as soon as possible. Valenciennes, where Mathieu Debuchy is playing this season, is also in the running. In the direction of departures, Ignacio Ramirez is also close to the exit.