AS Saint-Étienne has made a major recruitment by committing with Chico Lamba for an estimated 8 million euros, including bonuses. This transfer, which makes a sensation on the other side of the Pyrenees, marks an important step in the strategy of rebuilding the club. Lamba, international U21 Portuguese, arrives from Arouca, where he was considered one of the biggest sales in the history of the Portuguese club. His strong profile, his ability to revive the game and his impressive size (1.89m) impressed the observers, and his regular performances in 28 games with Arouca, including a goal and a decisive pass, earned him a place in the last Euro with Portugal.

This recruitment represents an ambitious bet for Saint-Étienne, which builds on the potential of young players to regain the French football elite. The investment of 8 million euros, although therefore, is considered reasonable given the current standards and previous successful transfers of the club, such as those of Wesley Fofana and William Saliba. Lamba’s arrival is part of a medium-term development logic aimed at building a competitive team and generating future added value. The club managed to afford itself a player who should quickly become a cadre of the team.

The departure of Chico Lamba from Arouca, despite a priority right of the Sporting CP, reflects the recognition of the growing value of the young central defender. This transfer is a strong signal sent to Ligue 2, clearly indicating the ambition of AS Saint-Étienne to become again a major player in French football. The arrival of Lamba is therefore seen as a key step in the overall strategy of the club, which seeks to rebuild itself on solid foundations and regain its place among the best teams in the country.