Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is close to leaving the club this month.
The striker, who joined from Mainz on an 18-month loan deal last January with a view to a permanent move, has underwhelmed in the Premier League, scoring just twice in 13 appearances.
Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne are now interested in taking Mateta on loan.
The loan agreement between Mainz, who have ruled out a return to his parent club for the French forward, and Crystal Palace comes to an end this summer.
But having made just five starts in all competitions, the option to make the deal permanent for a fee of £13million will not be activated.
Mateta made a bright start to life in English football, scoring with a superb back-heel against rivals Brighton on his third appearance for Palace, but things have not clicked since then.
Having fallen down the pecking order under Roy Hodgson, the 24-year-old has made six appearances for Patrick Vieira and scored in the 3-0 win over rock-bottom Norwich, but is still deemed surplus to requirements.
Palace upgraded their forward line with the addition of Odsonne Edouard over the summer and are open to opportunities to add another attacking player this month should the chance arise.
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah, out of contract in the summer, has been considered.
