Saint-Etienne closes in on Heracles' Oussama Tannane

Two points adrift of a Champions League spot amid a rejuvenated campaign for Les Verts, Saint-Etienne gaffer Christophe Galtier is set to sign winger Oussama Tannane from Dutch outfit Heracles.

Galtier admitted a move for the 21-year-old Ajax academy product was nearing its final stages Saturday, telling reporters he'd requested permission from the recruitment department to speak with the player.

The Moroccan-born Tannane would be Saint-Etienne's second signing of the window. Les Verts brought in Norwegian striker Alexander Soderlund from Rosenborg on Jan. 2 to bolster an attacking core missing Robert Beric, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the Ligue 1 season.