An experienced Ligue 1 player targeted this winter!

Sixteenth in Ligue 1 at the break, AS Saint-Étienne is going through an extremely difficult season with only 13 points on the meter. With a starving record of 4 wins, 1 draw and 10 lossesthe Greens must absolutely raise the bar in 2025 to hope to remain among the elite. A decisive market is announced for the Saint-Etienne club.

New staff and reinforcements expected

Faced with this worrying situation, Saint-Etienne leaders do not intend to remain passive. In addition to the replacement of Olivier Dall'Oglio and Grégory Pérès by the Scandinavian duo Eirik Horneland and Hassan El-Fakiri, significant adjustments to the workforce are planned. The objective is to recruit at least three players to strengthen the team in key areas like attack, central defense and midfield. According to L'Équipe, the Greens are actively looking for a new attacker, an absolute priority to boost an offensive sector in difficulty.

Baptiste Santamaria, a credible lead

To strengthen the midfield, Baptiste Santamariadefensive midfielder for Stade Rennais, is among the Saint-Etienne tracks. Former executive of Angers SCO and former Bundesliga player with Fribourg, Santamaria is recognized for his aggression, his reading of the game and his ability to recover balls. At 29, he has solid experience in Ligue 1 and European competitions. However, his playing time has reduced this season at Rennes due to increased competition.

A welcome reinforcement of experience

For ASSE, the arrival of this experienced environment would be a real opportunity to strengthen a midfield that is often overwhelmed in the intensity of the duels. Estimated at 7 million euros, Santamaria arrives 18 months from the end of his contract in Rennes. A loan with purchase option could suit all parties. The second half of the season promises to be decisive for the Greens who hope, with a reshuffled staff and an adjustment transfer window, to get back on track to avoid relegation which would be a real blow.