Saint-Etienne are planning to buy Niels Nkounkou this summer, but not to keep him at the club.

Per the Liverpool Echo, the French side have an option to secure Nkounkou as part of his loan agreement.

The fee is a high one, as Everton still believe in the player's long-term potential.

Per L'Equipe, Saint-Etienne may buy the full-back with the intention of selling him again.

He would not even play for the club next season, as they would look to do both deals this summer.