Saint Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier has all but confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign.
With his contract at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard running until June 2015, the highly rated shot-stopper has been linked with quite a few top clubs in recent months.
And it is now becoming clear he will be sold at the end of the season, with the player himself expressing his desire to leave France for Italy or Spain.
“Abroad? Yes, and I have a soft spot for Italy and Spain,” the 27-year-old explained to L’Equipe on Sunday.
“I have had a crush on Serie A since 2008, in Messina, a friendly match between Monaco and Juve.
”I loved feeling the pressure of Tifosi behind my back. I had impression the stands would collapse. I would like to experience that every weekend.”
Stephane Ruffier has spent his entire professional career in France, playing for Monaco and Saint Etienne, while enjoying a season-long loan at Bayonne.
He has long been considered one of league’s top goalkeepers and has so far amassed a total of 221 Ligue 1 appearances.
Ruffier has earned one France cap up to date, and he is currently behind Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda in the pecking order.
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