St Etienne have opened talks with free agent Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, sporting director Damien Comolli has confirmed.

The Dutch striker's contract at Celtic expired in the summer so he is available on a free transfer.

"We have met the player," Comolli is quoted as saying in today's edition of French newspaper L'Equipe.

"We are going to see what happens. The two parties must still come to a decision but it's going to be very complicated."

Les Verts, who are currently bottom of Ligue 1 after two rounds of fixtures, have been on the look-out for a striker since they sold Bafetimbi Gomis to Lyon for 13million euros.