During the AS Saint-Étienne internship in Aix-les-Baïns, two players, Lamine Fomba and Yvann Mason, left the professional group to train with the reserve. This decision, validated by the new coach Eirik Horneland, clearly indicates a change of status for both men and suggests that they no longer appear in the plans for the 2025-2026 season. This hasty start is not surprising, as it is part of a strategy to strengthen the reserve team, supervised by Sylvain Gibert and Romain Hamouma, and reflects Horneland’s desire to build a welded and invested workforce.

The evaporation of Fomba and Mason has been fueling rumours of transfers since the beginning of the week. According to L’Équipe, Yvann Mason would be in the list of targets of the Servette de Genève, a Swiss club wishing to strengthen its right flank with a versatile and experienced player. For his part, Foot Mercato reports that Lamine Fomba would also be courted by the Servette to strengthen its midfielder. This mutual interest on the part of the Swiss club could facilitate negotiations in the coming days, offering both players an opportunity for stability after a tumultuous season.

Eirik Horneland’s decision not to include Mason and Fomba in his plans for the coming season underscores his willingness to rely on a group that is fully committed to the quest for excellence. By removing these experienced players, the Norwegian technician sends a strong message to the entire team and the sports management, who will now have to find solutions to allow them to leave the club. This measure, of a purely sporting nature, is part of the club’s desire to achieve its objectives and to find the elite of French football.

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