Ligue 1 kicks off this weekend, like other major European leagues, with the most open title in recent years. PSG’s hegemony will have to be proven again after many years, while a good group of teams will try to get closer to Luis Enrique’s team. Taking a look at all the moves that have been made so far, and moving away from the big signings signed by the reigning champions, we find very interesting players to keep an eye on, with Ligue 1 being the destination for players from the second tier of European leagues where scouting has a much more important role to play.
*Warren Zaire-Emery – PSG
Yes, he is not a signing but he can be. A candidate to be one of the big sensations of the season in France, and with the gaps left by Marco Verratti, Leandro Paredes or Lionel Messi, who knows if Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, Warren Zaire-Emery, the great talent from PSG’s youth academy, could be looking at the season of his breakthrough. A midfielder with enormous potential, capable of playing at different zones and solving many problems on an individual level. His carries map at the Youth League 2022 showed a superior talent.
Oscar Cortes – Millonarios -> RC Lens
With much less financial capacity, RC Lens decided to undertake, among others, the signing of Oscar Cortes, a 19 year old winger who stood out at the U20 World Cup and who has shown from very early on a very valuable forcefulness in a winger: great shot, ability to change pace and with good movements in the final third, which could generate a great added value in the future, being able to play on both wings and even as an advanced midfielder.
Keito Nakamura – LASK Linz -> Stade de Reims
Although the transfer has reached 12 million, he is one of the great unknowns of the French market, but his qualities stand out very quickly if you look at his performance. Like Mitoma, Nakamura is a right winger who plays on the left with great pace and, above all, differing from the Brighton winger, an extra punch in the shot, very powerful and always positioned near the post. If he adapts quickly, he could be a great signing for Stade de Reims. Scorer of 14 goals in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Iliman Ndiaye – Sheffield United -> Olympique de Marseille
Hailing from the Championship, Iliman Ndiaye is one of Olympique de Marseille’s main bets as they look to reach the group stage of the Champions League 2023/23. An extraordinary move considering the competition in the Premier League. Player with great individual resources both in big spaces and surrounded by defenders. Extraordinary numbers between goals and assists at Sheffield United.
Enzo Le Fee – Lorient -> Stade Rennais
One of the most coveted players in French football, Enzo Le Fee finally arrived at Stade Rennais to give Bruno Genesio’s team a boost in quality. Skilful, with a lot of imagination and a lot of dribbling playing on the inside, which makes it easier to get out under pressure and with the quality to create chances and last passes in the final metres. Great expectations placed on him.
Hakon Arnar Haraldsson – Copenhagen -> LOSC Lille
Very interesting profile and one to keep an eye on in the medium term. He is not a particularly high scoring striker but he makes a lot of sense in a squad with fast players who initiate moves from the winger or full-back. Highly mobile attacker with a lot of touches outside the box and great intelligence to receive between the lines and assist his teammates’ runs and runs into the back of the opposing defence.
Joseph Okumu – KAA Gent -> Stade de Reims
Central defender for whom Stade de Reims also paid 12 million euros. Very balanced between on and off the ball play, especially in long ball movement (top-3 centre backs in the Belgian league). Good one on one defensive player as last man and involved in possessions that end in shots, with influence on the team’s play.
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