The transfer window closure is looming large. We look at who could make deadline-busting moves in Ligue 1.
All the transfer news and gossip from Ligue 1 as interest in French talent hots up
With only a few days left before the transfer window slams shut, a host of potential transfers concerning Premier League and Ligue 1 sides are on the verge of being resolved.
With more activity expected in the next few days, French sides are bracing themselves for fresh interest in their star players and the transfer rumour mill has gone into overdrive.
Done Deals
Last week it began to emerge that Lille had agreed a deal with Monaco to sign their South Korean striker Park Chu-Young and the transfer was set to be announced after the weekend when he had completed a medical. However, on Friday rumours began to surface suggesting that Arsenal had entered the race to sign the player; these whispers were then confirmed and it was revealed that he was in London having talks with the Gunners and was set to undergo a medical. These revelations were news to both Lille and Monaco who understood that the player was joining the defending champions and Les Dogues' president Michel Seydoux is irate that the striker is trying to engineer a separate move.
Speaking to
L'Equipe he said: "We haven't had a telephone call or anything. From what we understand he could be at Arsenal and like Monaco, we are baffled. Everything had been agreed upon and this type of behaviour is not acceptable and does not correspond with the spirit here at Lille."
Another rumour that had surfaced involving Lille at the end of last week was one involving prized winger Eden Hazard that linked him with a move to Arsene Wenger's side. Reports in France had suggested that the Belgian had been the subject of a €30million bid from the club and a number of British outlets began to run with the story too. However, photos from Saturday morning's training session proved that the player was still in France and the club reiterated that their stance from the beginning of the summer has not changed and the player is not for sale.
There is further disappointment for Arsene Wenger as another player who will not be moving to Arsenal is Lucho Gonzalez. The talented Argentine has decided to stay at Marseille for the rest of the season before making a move. The playmaker's future has been the subject of much speculation this summer as the player was vocal in expressing his desire to leave. However, the combination of a lack of interested suitors, an impressive individual start to the season and l'OM's attempts to keep the schemer have convinced the player that his short-term future lies in Provence.
Speaking to
L'Equipe, Marseille chairman Vincent Labrune said: "It is official, I held talks with Lucho on Friday night and I can confirm that he will remain with us this season." The player's agent Marcello Trapasso also confirmed the news and said: "We have found an agreement. Lucho stays."
It has become a recurring trend in recent weeks that players in Ligue 1 who have been linked with transfers decide to reject offers from abroad and stay put or move within France to avoid taking a chance overseas. Nice striker Eric Mouloungui has rejected persistent interest in his services from West Ham lately and knocked back another bid last week. Les Aiglons were believed to be willing to let the player go but he opted against the move and informed the club's hierarchy of his decision.
Centre-back Cedric Mongongou a recent target of Blackburn Rovers was on the move this week too as he left Monaco to join newly-promoted side Evian. The Ligue 1 debutants have enjoyed a solid start to the season and this signing should see them further strengthen their credentials with regards to retaining their place in the top-flight.
One player who could not resist the lure of playing in England however is Guirane N'Daw who has completed a loan switch until January. The strong defensive midfielder is a Seneglese international and arrives from Saint-Etienne.
Once again though, it is difficult to look at the French transfer market and not notice Paris Saint-Germain's activity. The capital club completed a transfer coup late last week when they announced the signing of Uruguay international and Fenerbahce centre-back Diego Lugano for €3.5million. The player who captains La Celeste was believed to be on the verge of a transfer to Italian giants Juventus but PSG's sporting director Leonardo has rushed in and stolen the player away from the Italians.
The move was announced late on Saturday night by the Turkish club and Lugano then confirmed the deal via his
Twitter account. "I am happy to take on this new challenge at a superclub like Paris" he said.
It was also confirmed during the week that Newcastle United target Mevlut Erding is set to join Ligue 1 rivals Rennes once a replacement can be found. The Turkish international has seen his future discussed intensely by the media all summer and Les Rouges et Bleu seem to have forced the player out, despite his insistence that he wanted to remain in Paris. A fantastic cameo appearance against Toulouse on Sunday saw him score once and lay on another goal to help Les Parisiens to a 1-3 victory but it may have been a last throw of the dice for the striker in an effort to stay.
Speaking to
L'Equipe about the player's future Leonardo said: "His situation remains the same. He can leave us if we find a replacement."
