He is the star striker of Saint-Étienne. With 4 goals and 2 assists in 8 Ligue 2 matches, Lucas Stassin continues to impress. Even if he was not selected by Rudi Garcia with Belgium, the third top scorer in the championship (20 years old) does not go unnoticed on the European scene. Not seeing him leave last summer and continue with ASSE, despite relegation, was a surprise for Greens supporters.
The French second division does not necessarily have the best visibility for Stassin in his quest for the national selection. Still, the player wanted to leave. In an interview given to the Belgian media The Last Hourthe Stéphanois returned to the summer transfer window. The Belgian striker took the opportunity to vent his frustration by delivering his version of the facts. It must be said that Lucas Stassin had no shortage of suitors. “Rennes came, there were several other clubs interested. Then, at the very end of the transfer window, it was Paris FC and it became quite concrete. »
Problem, the club is not a seller. “ Unfortunately, the negotiations were unsuccessful. The offer was refused because the leaders of Saint-Étienne asked for a very large amount given that they have ambitions to move up to Ligue 1 very quickly. They wanted to keep me. » Bought for 10 million euros in August 2024 from Westerlo, a record for Sainté, the striker was very close to leaving for 29 million euros to Paris FC this summer.
Lucas Stassin does not close “any door”
So, frustrated, Stassin was ready to do anything to escape Ligue 2. Even if it meant favoring the exoticism of Turkey or Saudi Arabia. “The transfer window closed later there. But the club continued to block the transfer. Arabia? That could have interested me because I don't think the level there is lower than Ligue 2. On the contrary, there are more and more great players and it has become a championship with a few big teams. It was actually one of those who wanted me (Al-Hilal, editor’s note). But that was also refused. »
With hindsight, the anger of the Stéphanois has evaporated. “
I had the international break to digest all that a bit beforehand. But when I came back to Saint-Étienne, I moved on. I accepted. And, now, I am fully with ASSE and I think that it showed during my matches. I managed to make the mental click, even if I won't hide the fact that it was hard for me. But I'm learning from all this and it will help me for the future.” he concluded. What to bury a departure in the next transfer window? Nothing is less certain. The player admits: “ I don't close any doors. »
