St Etienne remain keen to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
On-loan from Mainz, Mateta is wanted by new ASSE coach Pascal Dupraz, who worked with him at Lyon.
L'Equipe says talks are underway between all three clubs involved in an attempt to strike a deal.
However, any move won't happen immediately.
Palace are insisting they be allowed to find a replacement first before cutting short the loan of Mateta.
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