Former champion of England, Portugal and Belgium may play for the team from his native country for the first time.

France's Saint-Etienne is spending the winter transfer window looking for a boost at centre-back to bolster their defensive line, which conceded 42 goals in 20 games in the first part of the season.

The absolute outsider of the current draw of the French Ligue 1 as a candidate for a potential transfer has chosen the French defender Elyakim Mangal, who has been out of professional football for half a year, after leaving the Spanish Valencia.

The Greens want to offer the experienced footballer a short-term contract until the end of the season, with the possibility of an extension in case of successful performances.

It is noteworthy that in his 30s, a native of France, who also has a Belgian passport, has never played for a team from his native country..

However, on his account there are victories in the championships of Belgium with Standard, Portugal with Porto and England with Manchester City, as well as the cups of the above countries..