Maedine Makhloufi joins Dunkerque as Saint-Étienne sell before June | OneFootball

Saint-Étienne have sold left-back Maedine Makhloufi to Dunkerque, with his deal due to expire in June. He heads north to an ambitious Ligue 2 side for the run-in.

According to Le Progres, the academy product had only a one-year first professional contract and the club chose a fee now rather than lose him for free. The move comes amid a winter reshuffle of a back line that has struggled for months, despite Eirik Horneland not prioritising departures there.

After releasing Yvann Maçon from his contract, ASSE extended centre-back Kevin Pedro to 2030. They have also learned Maxime Bernauer could miss the rest of the season following meniscus surgery.

The departures may continue, with Dylan Batubinsika potentially next. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Lassana Traoré has yet to make an impact and is still working back from injury.

Makhloufi showed promising form in pre-season but has had limited top-level opportunities. He turns 21 in February and now gets a chance with Dunkerque.

Dunkerque sit sixth in Ligue 2 and retain genuine hopes of going up. They were in the play-offs last season and were lifted by a 1-0 win over Saint-Étienne in December.

Source: Le Progres