A run down of the top ten signings in France’s Ligue 1 so far this summer.
10. Benoit Pedretti – Lille to Ajaccio
The Corsicans have managed to land the 34-year-old veteran on a free transfer and he will now team up with Adrian Mutu in trying to boost the club further up the table.
9. Franck Tabanou – Toulouse to Saint Etienne
The highly rated midfielder has finally moved to make the next step up in his career and will be helping Les Verts in their quest to establish themselves in the upper echelons of French football.
8. Jeremy Toulalan – Malaga to Monaco
An astute signing that will martial the recently promoted club’s midfield. A seasoned French international who will keep a cool head when backs are against the wall.
7. Marquinhos – Roma to PSG
The young defender was in high demand earlier this summer with a host of club’s from across Europe rumoured to be after his signature. However, PSG stumped them all and he can now count compatriot Thiago Silva as a mentor.
6. Dimitri Payet – Lille to Marseille
A speedy and tricky winger with a devastating eye for a cross. He will prove to be a handful for Ligue 1 fullbacks on the opposite flank from Matthieu Valbuena to help Marseille stay amongst the league’s elite.
5. Joao Moutinho – Porto to Monaco
The Portuguese international had been thought to be on his way to Spurs but Claudio Ranieri managed to convince him otherwise and make the switch to the Principality club.
4. James Rodriguez – Porto to Monaco
The Colombian international joined up with Monaco in a double deal that saw him leave alongside Moutinho. Sure to take Ligue 1 by storm with his movement and versatility across the middle of the park.
3. Lucas Digne – Lille to PSG
Digne is one of the most exciting prospects to come out of France for a number of years and the Parisians have moved quickly to ensure he’s hitching his horse to their wagon. Largely expected to break into the national team this season after just two years as a professional.
2. Edinson Cavani – Napoli to PSG
The big Uruguayan could have gone anywhere he wanted this summer as his move threatened to drag out into a saga. However, PSG got their man and his arrival has raised question marks over the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
1. Radamel Falcao – Atletico Madrid to Monaco
The Colombian surprised everybody by joining the recently promoted side as he’ll be missing out on European football this season. However, they managed to sell the project to him and he’ll be hoping to hit the ground running and prove he’s worth every cent of the reported €60 million fee.