St Etienne haven't dropped interest in Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Mateta is on-loan at Palace from Mainz and is a priority target for new ASSE coach Pascal Dupraz, says But!.

Palace are happy to cut short Mateta's loan in January, but the player's contract demands are proving a problem.

As such, ASSE will need to reach an agreement with Mainz about covering a percentage of the striker's wages to help the move happen.

ASSE's wage cap is set at €50,000-a-month.