Saint Etienne are working on a deal to take Newcastle midfielder Henri Saivet back to France this summer.
The 25-year-old arrived on Tyneside from Bordeaux in January but made just four Premier League appearances for the club, who were relegated from the top flight.
Now L'Equipe has suggested that St Etienne want to land Saivet on loan and are willing to pay a large chunk of his wages.
Given Newcastle's relegation it is unclear where Saivet fits into Rafa Benitez's plans this season and he has not been involved in the club's opening two games of the season.