The transfer window is agitated on the side of AS Saint-Etienne, freshly relegated to League 2. determined to rebuild a workforce cut for the immediate rise, the Greens have put the means, pushed by the growing involvement of the Kilmer fund. But when approaching the recovery, some sensitive files seriously disturb the preparation of the Eirik Horneland team.
First burning case: that of Pierre Ekwah. The young environment, loaned by Sunderland last season, saw ASSE raise its purchase option of 6 million euros. However, the player does not wish to return to the Forez and even deserted training since the recovery. A tense situation that the club does not intend to undergo without reacting. According to
Green peoplethe Stéphanoise management has no intention of freeing Ekwah free of charge and even plans to send it in reserve if he persists in not training.
Another concern: Zuriko Davitashvili. Author of a promising season in Ligue 1 with 9 goals and 8 assists, the Georgian winger, who arrived last summer for 6 million euros from Bordeaux, absolutely wants to stay at the highest level. Still according to Green peoplethe player wishes to evolve in the first division for the 2026 World Cup with Georgia. Rennes, Strasbourg, Everton or Borussia Mönchengladbach would already be on the lookout.
ASSE is categorical
But faced with the inflexibility of his management, Davitashvili would begin to lose patience. The media close to the club even evokes a possible clash to come between the player and his leaders, the latter for the moment refusing to open the door to an early departure. An explosive situation that could further disrupt a wardrobe in reconstruction.
These tensions jeopardize the positive momentum at the start of the transfer window. If the ascent in Ligue 1 remains the objective, ASSE will also have to manage these thorny cases to avoid plumbing its locker room from the first days.
