This is the news that made all the green people tremble. While AS Saint-Etienne has a solid start to the season in Ligue 2, unbeaten after four days, the club could be amputated from its number one offensive asset. According to information from The teamthe wealthy Saudi club of al-Hilal set his sights on the young Stéphanois scorer, Lucas Stassin.
ASSE is closing the door … for now
Faced with the approach of the Saudi giant, which has stars in its ranks like Koulibaly or Cancelo, the ASSE management reacted quickly. No question of selling. The transfer window being closed in France, it would be impossible for the club to find a replacement at its 20 -year -old Belgian international. To cool the ardors of al-Hilal, the leaders therefore set a voluntarily very high price, a polished way of saying “no”.
But is the file really closed? The Saudi market does not close until September 11, which leaves a few hours in Al-Hilal to return to the charge with an offer that does not refuse. The situation is therefore tense. ASSE has displayed its firmness, but we know that in football, everything has a price.
A departure would be a terrible blow
A departure from Stassin would be a terrible blow for Stéphanois ambitions. He is today the undisputed leader of attack, the one on whom the hopes of ascent in Ligue 1 rest now. Losing it now, without being able to replace it, would be a real sporting suicide. This would confirm the fears of the supporters, already scalded by a transfer window deemed “animated” but lacking in certainties.
For the moment, ASSE holds good. The club postponed the first offensive and hopes that it will be enough. But this approach to al-Hilal is a brutal reminder of the new reality of football. Even in Ligue 2, French clubs are no longer safe from financial appetites for new Gulf powers. The Stéphanois supporters will have to hold their breath until the last second.
