As the winter transfer window opens up, Ligue 1 will find itself scoured by clubs across Europe looking for bargains. And already rumours swirl around clubs and players looking for an early exit or a new environment.
1. Randal Kolo Muani – PSG – Age: 26
Randal Kolo Muani arrived in his hometown for a staggering fee ahead of the 2023/24 season. Paris Saint-Germain had spent €90 million to make the France international their statement signing and the number nine to play off Kylian Mbappé.
Over a year later the forward looks to be on the verge of leaving the French capital having never won the trust of his head coach Luis Enrique. Despite this, he remains a regular fixture for Les Bleus and the Premier League giants (Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Chelsea) have reportedly been lining up to steal him away from his disappointing homecoming.
2. Gift Orban – Lyon – Age: 22
Even if Olympique Lyonnais were not in desperate need of departures (with all players on the market for the right price), Gift Orban would likely still be on the chopping block.
The 22-year-old joined last January from Gent with a reputation as a dynamic forward with great potential. However, he has struggled to demonstrate his abilities consistently and has only made five appearances across all competitions (his last coming in November). His reputation has not been tarnished despite his struggles in nailing down a place in the Lyon team and there are reports that Hoffenheim have reached an agreement with Lyon.
3. Milan Škriniar – PSG – Age: 29
Galatasaray? Borussia Dortmund? Or the Premier League? There has been no shortage of suitors linked with a move for Milan Škriniar in recent weeks. The former Inter Milan centre-back has been allowed to leave PSG in the ongoing transfer window after seeing his name fall down the pecking order.
In truth, the club had been open to a departure over the summer but Škriniar was reportedly interested in trying to make his move to France work. His wish to stay has faded with his game time, with the defender left unused in the Champions League and making only five appearances (381 minutes) in Ligue 1.
4. Alban Lafont – Nantes – Age: 25
“I won’t be seeing you next year” Alban Lafont told reporters at the end of last season. The FC Nantes goalkeeper was ready to leave over the summer and the club was happy to sanction what they were hoping to be a lucrative sale. Ajax were linked with a move but baulked at the €15 million price tag leaving the 25-year-old back between the posts at Nantes for the start of the campaign.
However, Lafont would eventually be proven to be right and we are unlikely to see him in 2025. He was dropped for the final four games of the season, while the arrival of a replacement in Anthony Lopes has made it clear that there is no room for him in La Maison Jaune. Where he goes next is the big question.
5. Maxence Caqueret – Lyon – Age: 24
Maxence Caqueret rejected the chance to leave Lyon over the summer after he was approached by Everton. The midfielder born on the outskirts of Lyon has only ever represented his formative club, and perhaps in different times the question of his departure would never have realistically emerged.
However, Les Gones need to sell due to the threat of a provisional relegation caused by their financial troubles and the midfielder holds a large salary. The midfielder has not been helped by a downturn in performances and he currently finds himself as the fifth choice having made only two appearances since late October.
6. Kevin Danso – Lens – Age: 26
Kevin Danso was close to leaving RC Lens during the summer transfer window, but a failed medical scuppered his €25 million move to Roma. The Italian club had detected an unknown heart problem meaning that the centre-back has remained in Ligue 1.
After a five-game absence where Lens investigated the issue, Danso was cleared to return to the first team where he has been a crucial part of a Lens defence that has conceded the joint least amount of goals. However, this stay has only felt temporary and Danso remains a coveted target with Everton and Wolves reportedly in a race to sign the defender.
7. Abdukodir Khusanov – Lens – Age: 20
Danso is not the only Lens centre-back to attract interest from the Premier League this winter. Abdukodir Khusanov has quickly become one of the most sought-after players in Ligue 1 due to his performances this season.
His mixture of impressive physicality and tremendous ability to read the game (making the second-most interceptions in the league) has made him a hot target for clubs like Manchester City, Tottenham, and Newcastle United, as well as PSG. The twenty-year-old looks to be destined for a departure with Lens set to make a healthy profit on the €100,000 they originally spent in 2023.
8. Lilian Brassier – Marseille – Age: 25
Lilian Brassier arrived at Olympique de Marseille this summer with much fanfare. The centre-back had been a cornerstone of a Stade Brestois side that had made history in finishing third in the league and qualifying for the Champions League. The expectation in the south of France was that Brassier would fit seamlessly into a new look Marseille forming an exciting partnership with Leonardo Balerdi.
The reality has been far more bleak with Brassier committing several high-profile errors which have left the club concerned over his ability to withstand the pressure cooker environment in La Provence. However, while clubs like Leicester have been linked, reports suggest Brassier has no intention of ending his Marseille stay.
9. Ernest Nuamah – Lyon – Age: 21
Ernest Nuamah has been far from the most consistent player at Lyon since his controversial loan and then transfer from sister club RWD Molenbeek. The 21-year-old winger has shown in flashes his creativity and devastating eye for goal, but never enough to convince Pierre Sage that he would be more effective as a starter than an impact player.
Still, interest has remained high in the winger, even after his move to Fulham over the summer broke down during a tear-filled medical where he disappeared without a trace. Premier League clubs like Everton, Crystal Palace, and even Fulham have been linked with a transfer with each seeing the high potential that the diamond in the rough has shown.
10. Joris Chotard – Montpellier – Age 23
Everything was in place for Joris Chotard to take the next step in his career this season. The defensive midfielder had just finished an impressive campaign with Montpellier HSC where he had shone even in a struggling team and claimed a silver medal with France at the Paris Olympics.
Montpellier were keen to cash in on their academy product but reportedly rejected an offer of €7 million from Wolfsburg believing the Bundesliga side would return with an improved bid. No bid would be coming and instead, the bottom-placed Ligue 1 side have had to wait until this transfer window to try and shift a player who they now value at between €6 to €7 million with Stade Rennais, Real Betis, and Sevilla all-linked.
