While the transfer market has been open for 24 days, no movement has yet been recorded. Several names have been mentioned in the press, but for the moment, nothing has been signed. Saint-Etienne leaders are striving to strengthen a squad that has obvious shortcomings. A situation which, however, does not seem to worry Eirik Horneland, the ASSE coach, who prefers to concentrate on the players at his disposal.
One, two speeches
In December, while he was still in office, Olivier Dall'Oglio declared at a press conference:
“I am very demanding when it comes to gifts and I asked for a lot. […] I still believe in Santa Claus. The priority is maintenance. And for that, it is essential, essential (he insists), that it passes. »
This Thursday, his Norwegian successor gave a very different speech:
“I wouldn't mind if there wasn't a finish. I like to develop players. The group we have available has the potential to fight for survival. »
The contrast is striking. Olivier Dall'Oglio, aware of his contractual situation, knew that he had little hope of signing up for the long term with ASSE. Experienced, he regularly reminded that his group needed reinforcements to succeed in the maintenance mission.
For his part, Eirik Horneland is no more fooled than his predecessor. However, he understands that his mission involves getting the best out of the players already present. Of course, the Norwegian would not refuse the arrival of reinforcements who could bring real added value to the squad, but he aligns himself with the line of action set by his leaders.
ASSE leaders on deck
On January 19, Loïc Perrin confirmed the will and the difficulties encountered by ASSE this winter:
“For the moment, the transfer window is taking time to get set up. Obviously, discussions have been started for a while with several profiles. But that is the difficulty of this transfer window: we are sometimes confronted with opposing clubs who do not want to let their players go, with negotiations which can be long. I hope there will be arrivals, and perhaps departures by the end of the transfer window. For now, what I can tell you is that there is nothing official. »
During his wishes to the press, Ivan Gazidis also reassured the supporters:
“Eirik Horneland wants to develop the players in the squad. He believes in them a lot. And we are looking to improve the team, always. During this transfer window, we will be active. There will be adjustments. »
Paths to follow, but the clock is ticking
ASSE is still looking to recruit between two and four players by February 3. Among the most advanced cases, that of Irvin Cardona remains unresolved. The player is waiting for a favorable outcome, but nothing has been decided yet.
Another serious prospect: Ognjen Mimović, right back of Red Star Belgrade, aged 20. ASSE would be ready to pay the 6 million euros requested by the Serbian club. However, Belgrade prefers to wait until after its match against Berne in the Champions League on January 29, a possible victory having positive repercussions on its finances.
Furthermore, the Greens hope to find an agreement with FC Metz to recover promising defender Sadibou Sané. At the same time, they are intensifying their efforts to convince Caen to sell their defensive midfielder Noé Lebreton. But the situation is not simple, Stade Malherbe being stuck in the depths of Ligue 2.
A need to act quickly at ASSE
It is obvious that ASSE will do everything possible to be active in the last days of the transfer window. However, time is running out. Managers, if they do not want to spend without reason, could be forced to respond favorably to the demands of the selling clubs. Otherwise, the Greens could find themselves in difficulty in their quest to remain.
