AS Saint-Étienne is reportedly exploring the potential return of forward Arnaud Nordin during the upcoming January transfer window, according to reporting by Peuple Vert.
The 28-year-old, who developed through the club’s youth academy and made 148 appearances for the senior side, currently finds himself on the periphery of the squad at Stade Rennais. The player, a Paris native, was acquired by Rennes from Mainz for 2 million euros this past summer after a six-month loan spell.
Nordin, who initially joined the Breton club on loan during the 2026 winter window, secured a permanent transfer this past summer. He is under contract with Rennes until June 2029, yet he has struggled to earn a consistent role under manager Franck Haise. Since the start of the current campaign, he has managed only one start in Ligue 1.
The situation in Rennes has become increasingly difficult for the attacker. Beyond his limited league minutes, Nordin has also failed to secure a regular spot in the side’s European rotation. His recent trajectory saw him relegated to the team’s reserve squad for a National 2 fixture against Brest, a move reported by Le Parisien and highlighted by Morning Foot.
While the club has not confirmed a permanent departure, his absence from recent professional match-day squads suggests he is currently outside Haise’s primary plans. Nordin had previously played 30 minutes against Le Mans on August 30, 18 minutes against Sturm Graz on September 16, and 61 minutes during a 4-0 loss at Lyon on September 19.
For Saint-Étienne, a loan move for their former player is viewed as a pragmatic solution to bolster their attacking options without the immediate financial burden of a full transfer.
But! Football Club said that Nordin’s deep familiarity with the club’s environment and the demands of the league could facilitate a rapid integration. The player, a Paris native, has maintained a strong personal attachment to the club where he began his professional career.
La décision de faire jouer Arnaud Nordin avec l’équipe réserve du Stade Rennais témoigne de son recul dans la hiérarchie de l’effectif professionnel.
The club currently sits in seventh place in Ligue 1 with 16 points after 10 matches, a campaign marked by inconsistent results, including a 5-2 loss to OGC Nice on October 30 and a 3-0 victory against Strasbourg on October 25, as noted by Homme Du Match. The team also recently suffered a 2-1 defeat against LOSC.
While Rennes might choose to keep Nordin for squad depth, his lack of playing time has led to speculation that a loan move in January is a potential option for all parties involved.
While media reports suggest a return to the Forez region is likely, Rennes and Saint-Étienne have not yet formalized negotiations. A loan would allow Nordin to regain match fitness and confidence, providing him a platform to perform during the second half of the season.
“Plusieurs scénarios restent possibles. Rennes pourrait choisir de le conserver pour maintenir de la profondeur dans son secteur offensif. Un départ temporaire sous forme de prêt semble la solution la plus cohérente pour l’ensemble des parties,” said the media outlet specializing in AS Saint-Étienne news.
According to Foot01, the primary hurdle may be the player’s own career ambitions, as he weighs the prospect of a move against his current contract status in Brittany. Nordin remains tied to Rennes until 2029, and any potential deal would likely be structured to allow the club to reassess his status in the summer of 2027.
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