Top 10 Ligue 1 players who could use a move away from their respective clubs in the coming summer.
An exhilarating season it has been in the top-flight league of France, the Ligue 1, and a handful of extraordinary talents have shine brightly amidst the fierce competition.
From dazzling dribbles to thunderous strikes, the Ligue 1 has seen the best standout amongst the best. The players have captivated audiences with their skill, determination, and sheer brilliance on the pitch.
In this article, we take an inquisitive look at the top five players that could improve a host of elite teams in the climax of European club football leagues.
10. Muhammed-Cham Saracevic of Clermont Foot
Albeit Clermont finds themselves at the foot of the table, Muhammed-Cham Saracevic did not seize from being their knight in shining armor so far this season.
The Austian, 23, is a right winger thanks to his devastating left-foot, which allows him to cut inside and then decide what to do with the ball. He also doubles as an attacking midfielder and can also play on the opposite flank.
He is a very good dribbler, winning duels and fouls. Cham is strong on the ball and great in one-two exchanges with a teammate. He is also a very good creative outlet.
So far this term, Saracevic has been directly involved in 42 per cent of Clermont Foot’s total goals in the Ligue 1. He has the most goals as well as assists for the club, four each.
One of the top 10 Ligue 1 players to watchout for in the window as his contract ends in 2026. Two years will be left in the summer and with the possibility of relegation, the former Wolfsburg Academy player might be on the move.
9. Benjamin Bourigeaud of Rennes
Though Bourigeaud is now 30, he still has a lot to offer, given how consistent he has been for Rennes since joining as a free agent from Lens in the summer 2017.
With another impressive run so far this term, the Frenchman is one of the top 10 Ligue 1 players to watchout for when the next window opens.
Bourigeaud’s arrival in Rennes coincided with the rise of the Brittany club, highlighted by their Coupe de France title success in the 2018-19 campaign.
The midfielder has registered more than 120 goal involvements in 301 games for Rennes, and represents one of the clubs greatest and most loyal players of the modern era.
He contributes significantly to the team’s defensive set-up, showing consistent intensity and commitment in order to win the ball or at the very least provide a presence.
Bourigeaud utilizes his change of pace and all round game awareness to press opponents effectively, ensuring security of his defenders.
In attack, he is very productive, creative and dynamic. He has the most chances created in the 2021-22 season across Europe top five leagues and was amongst the top five in the last season.
Previously rejected a move to AC Milan and LA Galaxy due to his love for Rennes. However, if he’ll ever secure a lucrative move abroad, this summer provides him the best opportunity, even with a contract until 2026 with Rennes.
8. Leonardo Balerdi of Olympic Marseille
The Argentine was a failed experiment at Borussia Dortmund but has proven to be a bargain for Marseille since his move to France in the summer of 2020.
Now 25, Balerdi has been a c8. onsistent performer in the heart of Marseille defence and with the summer window approaching, he is one of the top 10 Ligue 1 players that could be on the move.
A rangy and physical defender, Balerdi has a reputation for putting limbs and head on the line. He can be likened to Mats Hummels of his former club.
He is technical, hence good at ball playing. He is also ambidextrous and can play anywhere in a three man defence. He can also be deployed as a left-back.
Marseille paid €8 million to sign him few summers ago and he is now worth more than double. He will have two more years left on his contract in the summer and selling will be the best option for Marseille if an agreement is not reached on extension.
One of the top 10 Ligue 1 players that will be very marketable in the window. Marseille may not be able to resist should a worthy offer come in.
Top 10 Ligue 1 players needing a move thus summer
7. Bradley Locko of Brest
Defends like Aaron Wam-Bissaka and plays like Marcelo, Locko is a fantasy player that has been terrorizing wingers in the Ligue 1 since his emergence from the Academy of Reims before securing the move to Brest.
Calm and collected when defending and excellent on the ball. His quick feet allows him to skip past challenges and intercept play.He is a good dribbler thanks to his pace. Also one of the most accurate crossers of the ball as his 32 percentage completed ranks very high in the division.
Despite having a contract until 2027, West Ham United made attempts to sign him in January but a move could not materialize but in the company of other teams, the Premier League club is expected to return with another bid in the summer.
One of the top 10 Ligue 1 players who could secure a more prominent move in the summer and still only 21, Locko is set for a big future, but his next destination will be decisive in fulfilling his potentials.
6. Melvin Bard of OGC Nice
Melvin Bard is another exciting one in the top 10 Ligue 1 players that has been impressive so far with their current contract ending in 2026.
The 23-year-old left-back is an impressive star for Nice, one of the major contributors in their quest to reach the UEFA Champions League next season.
Melvin Bard has missed three Ligue 1 games in the last three seasons since he moved to Nice from his boyhood club Lyon, who continues to regret selling him at the time of his departure.
Renowned for his technical prowess, pace and crossing of the ball, the Frechman is one of his club’s most priced asset and albeit it’ll be difficult to price away an import player for their project, a lucrative offer could persuade Nice into selling.
Bard is a duel moster and possesses great strength, tackles like a professional that he is and a tireless runner, with affinity for making overlapping runs in behind defenders.
Has been previously linked with Bayern Munich and the summer could provide an avenue to realize the dream with Alphonso Davies unlikely to commit his future due to the links with Real Madrid.Napoli and West Ham United have also shown interest in Bard.
5. Lamine Camara of Metz
Though Metz is one of the least impressive teams in the Ligue 1 this season, 20-year-old Lamine Camara is far from being one of their problem, and is not likely to serve time in the division two should the club eventually get relegated.
The Senegalese midfielder has played a significant role in Laszlo Boloni’s set-up, creating chances and orchestrating play in the middle of the park.
He combines defensive solidity, precise passing, offensive flair, and free-kick prowess. Lamine Camara a well-rounded and exciting player to watch.
He is only in his first season in Europe and did shine for Senegal in the AFCON earlier in the year and will surely earn Metz a lot in the window, which will be the only compensation should the club relegated come May.
4. Maxence Caqueret of Olympic Lyon
Has to be Lyon’s best player so far in the ongoing season and the 24-year-old was always going to find his way into our list of top 10 Ligue 1 players to keep tabs on ahead of the approaching window.
Attacking midfielder by trade, Caqueret is an excellent all-round creative player. He also possesses key attributes such great technical abilities, intelligence on the ball, tactical and defensive awareness, the later which is a rare quality for attacking midfielders.
He has been the main man for Lyon this season, started all 26 league games and scored a goal, an important winner away to Montpelier in February. He also has three league assists to his name.
One of the top 10 Ligue 1 players to watchout for this summer as Lyon should be open to selling for the economic benefits a potential deal would have on their club.
Maxence Caqueret, although has a lot of years left on his Lyon contract signed in 2022, he has the potential of earning the club a worthy compensation if allowed to leave this summer.
3. Youssouf Fofana of AS Monaco
This is the fourth straight season that the French midfielder has been delivering a consistent performance for Monaco and he has surely passed the test of time, one which many elite clubs look for in an emerging star.
Now 25, Fofana is ready to take up that next step in his career and with a contract ending in the summer of 2025, it is now or never for Monaco to cash in, or risk losing him for free if an extension is not signed.
It is however almost certain that the midfielder won’t be renewing his contract at the Fontvieille and thus his inclusion in the list of top 10 Ligue 1 players to watchout for in the summer transfer window.
In France, Fofana is famous for his hectic workrate and athleticism. He specializes in ball winning and defensive awareness. He is also a very creative player and can play in multiple midfield positions.
He is also a France international with more than 15 appearances for Les Bleus, further solidifying his case as a established midfielder.
He has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League with Manchester United one of the clubs reported to be interested, though a more realistic move will be to one of the mid-table teams.
2. Leny Yoro of Lille
Just two years ago, a 16-year-old Leny Yoro made his debut for Lille reserve team and today he is on the radar of the most historical club of the world, Real Madrid.
The lanky center back made his professional debut on the penultimate Gameweek of the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season, replacing Angel Gomez 12 minutes from time to become the second youngest debutant for Lille, overtaking Eden Hazard.
His growth and development has been impressive. Yoro understands the etiquette of being a top modern center back and is one to keep an eye on, hence one of the top 10 Ligue 1 players to watchout in the summer.
His contract expires in the summer of 2025 and the interest from Real Madrid unsettles things for Lille, who could now have to sell this summer to optimize his transfer value.
With just more than 50 first team appearances under his belt, he has made himself one of the top teenagers around and even ranks high in the 2024 next generation list.
An exciting talent so far in the ongoing season takes his place in the list of the top 10 Ligue 1 players to lookout for in June.
1. Kylian Mbappé of PSG Paris Saint-German
Since his Ligue 1 debut in December 2015, there is no atom of doubt that the Frenchman has been the best player in the division.
Aside from the collective success of five titles, he has also picked up the best player award on four occasions, with a fifth becoming inevitable come the end of the season.
With his electrifying pace, impeccable technique, and eye for goal, the 25-year-old forward continues to mesmerize fans with his breathtaking performances and Mbappé is only behind Harry Kane in the race for the European golden shoe.
Whether gliding past defenders or rifling shots into the back of the net, his influence on the pitch is undeniable, making him a force to be reckoned with in Ligue 1 and Europe.
Leading PSG’s charge to make it three straight Ligue 1 titles, he has been directly involved 29 goals in 24 games in the competition, and his 24 goals makes him the leading Goalscorer, at least nine more than any other player with eight games to go.
Kylian Mbappé has informed PSG that he will leave the club this summer and despite the odds in favour of him moving to Real Madrid, nothing is official and that makes him an exciting name on the list of top 10 Ligue 1 players to watchout for in the summer.
Mbappé could have easily been the most expensive player ever, but fortunately for his future employer, he’ll leave Paris as a free agent. The biggest name on the list of the top 10 Ligue 1 players so far this campaign.
And with Kylian Mbappé in it, completes the list of the top 10 Ligue 1 players who could be in for a bigger move in the summer transfer window.
This set of players have have been impressive so far and will be great loss for their respective clubs when and if they eventually move away but evidently, they have outgrown their currently environment.
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