Eintracht Frankfurt is reportedly in talks with a top French talent

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Eintracht Frankfurt are in talks to sign French U20 striker Djylian N'Guessan from AS Saint-Étienne, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The 17-year-old attacking gem, already on Chelsea FC's radar, is poised to strengthen Frankfurt's front line for years to come.

In his home country, N'Guessan is regarded as one of the most promising talents in French football. Despite spending most of the current season on the fringes of Saint-Étienne's first team, he has caught the eye of Bundesliga side Frankfurt, a club known for helping young French professionals take the next step in their careers.

Despite limited first-team exposure, the forward has made 325 minutes across 13 competitive appearances for ASSE, scoring once, figures that underscore his appeal. As recently as January, the club was reluctant to part with the youngster, unwilling to risk its chances of an immediate return to the top flight. 

After last season's relegation, the club targeted an immediate return to Ligue 1, so when Chelsea tabled an eight-million-euro bid, Saint-Étienne turned it down, according to L'Equipe.

Saint-Étienne is likely to have to sell off its silverware.

The Blues' multi-million-pound bid made quite an impression, but on the pitch things did not go to plan for the teenager and his club. He stayed, but following the failure to secure promotion, departures are now expected this summer, and N'Guessan could well be one of them. 

Having missed out on promotion to the top flight, Saint-Etienne must rethink their financial strategy and may be forced to sell some of their star players. Last season, he made just five first-team appearances.

N'Guessan proved to be a prolific goalscorer for France

Though he has yet to break into his club's first team, the youngster already turns heads whenever he pulls on the Equipe Tricolore jersey. He has impressed throughout the French youth setup. His goal tally in the lower age groups is striking: 11 goals in 11 U17 games and 12 goals in 14 U16 outings.

That finishing ability attracted the attention of the national set-up, and the coaches fast-tracked his development. He has since featured for the U20s, underlining his status within the French Football Federation.

N'Guessan is under contract until 2027, having joined the club's youth academy twelve years earlier.