Reports circulating from reputable sources indicate that young Belgian forward Lucas Stassin is actively seeking a departure from French club AS Saint-Étienne. At just 20 years old, Stassin`s decision is reportedly driven by a clear and focused ambition: to solidify his chances of representing Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The context of this potential move is Saint-Étienne`s recent relegation to Ligue 2. Remaining in the second tier of French football is apparently viewed by Stassin`s camp as a significant impediment to achieving the visibility and competitive level deemed necessary to earn a call-up to the senior Belgian national squad for the prestigious tournament in North America.
Saint-Étienne endured a profoundly difficult season, culminating in their demotion from Ligue 1. However, amidst the team`s collective struggles and disappointing performance, Stassin proved to be one of the few, arguably the only, consistent bright spots. The striker delivered an impressive individual campaign, registering 12 goals and 4 assists across his 29 league appearances. Crucially, his form peaked towards the season`s conclusion, where he netted a remarkable nine goals in his final ten matches – a testament to his clinical finishing and ability to perform even under pressure.
This reported desire to leave creates a notable divergence from the expectations previously set by the club`s leadership. Only last month, Saint-Étienne manager Eirik Horneland publicly conveyed his anticipation that Stassin would remain with the club for the upcoming Ligue 2 season. The current reports suggest that scenario is now, perhaps rather pointedly, appearing increasingly unlikely. Management planning, it seems, doesn`t always align perfectly with a player`s international aspirations.
For an ambitious young player like Stassin, operating at the highest level of club football is often considered essential for attracting the attention of national team selectors. While Ligue 2 is a professional and competitive league, competing week-in, week-out against top-tier opposition provides a different platform for evaluation, particularly when aiming for inclusion in a squad as talent-rich as Belgium`s. The strategic decision for Stassin appears to be a calculated risk: seek a move to a higher-profile league to boost his World Cup prospects.
Stassin`s career development has followed a promising path, originating in the highly regarded RSC Anderlecht academy before a successful stint at Westerlo, where his goal-scoring form prompted the move to Saint-Étienne when they were competing in Ligue 1.
The potential loss of a player of Stassin`s demonstrable quality and form, especially following a season where he highlighted his value, adds another layer of complexity to Saint-Étienne`s immediate challenge of rebuilding and aiming for promotion from Ligue 2. For Stassin, this move represents a bold step driven by the ultimate footballing dream – participating in a World Cup – a decision that is likely to position him as a significant figure in the summer transfer market.
