Negotiations between AS Saint-Étienne and rising striker Djylian N’Guessan over a contract extension have stalled, casting doubt over the teenager’s long-term future with the club.
N’Guessan, who signed his first professional deal with Saint-Étienne in November last year, has been one of the most highly regarded prospects to emerge from the club’s academy in recent seasons.
Having developed through every stage of the youth system, he rose to prominence with the Under-19 side, scoring eight goals in 13 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign.
His rapid progress earned him a Ligue 1 debut the following season, where he featured eight times for the first team at just 16 years old.
The club, conscious of the potential they hold in the Franco-Ivorian forward, have been keen to secure his services for the long term. Yet, according to local outlet Le Progrès, talks over fresh terms have reached a standstill, with salary demands emerging as the main obstacle.
Sources suggest N’Guessan’s camp views his current package as not reflective of his contribution and potential, while Saint-Étienne’s management consider the expectations excessive for a player at his stage of development.
The deadlock has inevitably sparked speculation over the youngster’s future. A breakdown in negotiations could see the player depart as early as this summer or in the forthcoming winter transfer window, should another club move to secure his signature. Several sides are thought to be monitoring the situation closely, given both his youth and the promise he has already shown at senior level.
For Saint-Étienne, the dilemma is clear. On one hand, losing a homegrown talent of N’Guessan’s calibre would represent a blow to their long-term project. On the other, a transfer could provide a financial boost.
According to market valuations, the 17-year-old forward is currently estimated at around €800,000, but the Greens could realistically command closer to €1 million, particularly as his contract runs until June 2027.
That potential return would give the club some flexibility in the transfer market, though it would also mean sacrificing a player widely tipped to develop into a key figure in the years ahead.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Saint-Étienne’s reputation has long been built on nurturing and showcasing academy graduates, and losing N’Guessan prematurely could be viewed as a setback in that tradition.
For now, both the club and player remain locked in negotiations with no resolution in sight. Whether an agreement can still be reached, or whether a parting of ways becomes inevitable, may depend on how far each side is willing to compromise in the weeks ahead.
What is certain, however, is that Djylian N’Guessan’s future is likely to be one of the dominant storylines surrounding Saint-Étienne in the coming months. His case highlights both the opportunities and challenges faced by French clubs attempting to retain emerging stars in an increasingly competitive European market.
