Speculation is mounting that New Zealand midfielder Ben Old is on the brink of joining French Ligue 1 club St Étienne.
French media outlets have been linking the Wellington Phoenix player with the 10-times champion club who have just won promotion back to the top tier.
NZ Herald football writer Michael Burgess reports a deal is close.
“It’s believed that Old is close to agreeing terms with French Ligue 1 club St Etienne and will move after the Paris Olympics. Sources in France who are close to the club, when contacted by the Herald, said that the deal was ‘all but done’,” Burgess writes.
“There may be some final paperwork to complete but it’s safe to assume Old will be playing for Les Verts (The Greens) next season.”
In mid-June, Old (21) was also linked with MLS club Real Salt Lake who were reported to be showing interest in him.
Old grew up in Auckland, where he played junior football at Forrest Hill Milford United, and youth football for Hibiscus Coast and North Shore United.
He has been in Wellington for the past six years since joining the Phoenix academy as a 15-year-old.
In November 2023, he signed a new three-year agreement with the Phoenix that will continue until the end of the 2026-27 Isuzu UTE A-League.
READ MORE: Wellington Phoenix re-sign All Whites midfielder Ben Old on three-year deal >>>>
He has made seven appearances for the All Whites and is a member of the squad seeking New Zealand’s sixth win at the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in Vanuatu.
In early June 2024, Phoenix teammate Alex Paulsen, also with the All Whites in Vanuatu, was the subject of a transfer to English Premier League club Bournemouth in a deal reportedly worth about NZ$4 million.
READ MORE: It’s a deal! Alex Paulsen completes move from Phoenix to Bournemouth >>>>
On June 22, 2024, New Zealand teammate Marko Stamenić completed a move from Red Star Belgrade to EPL side Nottingham Forest for a transfer fee reported to be about NZ$8.8 million.
READ MORE: Deal done! All White Marko Stamenić signs five-year deal with English club >>>>
This story was first published on June 30, 2024.
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