It’s been a summer full of high-profile transfers out of France’s Ligue 1 so far, but there have been some significant new purchases too. French football writer Rich Allen looks at 10 of the most notable Ligue 1 transfers of the summer window to date…
10 notable summer Ligue 1 Transfers 2015/16
Angel Di Maria
One of the most protracted transfers of the summer finally ended when Angel Di Maria joined PSG, a club he was first linked to back during his time at Real Madrid. After a mixed season with Manchester United the Argentine winger became the latest “galactique” to make the move to the current Ligue 1 champions, for an eye-watering €63 million (£44m).
Seen as an upgrade to Ezequiel Lavezzi, there is the hope that Di Maria can finally help PSG make that next step in the Champions League. Much will be expected from a player who in two summers has commanded an aggregate transfer fee in excess of £100 million, but if he can reach the levels seen only in fleeting glimpses at Old Trafford then PSG could well have found their final piece of the jigsaw.
Benjamin Stambouli
Finally “rescued” from his unhappy time at Tottenham, Benjamin Stambouli secured a surprise move to PSG in a £6 million move in July. The tough-tackling former Montpellier midfielder will fit in nicely at the Parc des Princes alongside fellow all-action midfielders Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi.
A replacement for Yohan Cabaye, at 24 Stambouli (a Marseille fan) could also see himself as a long-term replacement for Thiago Motta, as the Italian’s time in Paris draws nearer to a close. Stambouli is very much an under-the-radar type of transfer, who will put in a lot of the dirty work to complement his teammates well. A very shrewd signing by Blanc.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 most notable German Bundesliga transfers of the summer window 2015/16
Stephan El Shaarawy
The mohakwed Italian forward made the move to Monaco from AC Milan in a loan deal which allows the Monegasques an option to buy come the end of the season. After a blistering start to his Milan career Stephan El Shaarawy has had to contend with a couple of injury ravaged seasons which had a knock-on effect on his form.
The move to the Principality club should allow him a chance to get some playing time under his belt which, will hopefully see his confidence return.
https://twitter.com/ManuElShaarawy/status/620680354714755073
ARCHIVE: Stephan El Shaarawy and the top 10 most exciting youngsters in Serie A in 2013
Ivan Cavaleiro
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim has been eager to boost his attacking options this transfer window and has utilised his Portuguese market knowledge to the full by recruiting Ivan Cavaleiro from Benfica for around €15 million.
The winger is seen as a direct replacement for Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco following the Belgian’s move to Atletico Madrid. After featuring for Portugal Under-21s at the 2015 U21 European Championship Cavaleiro’s pre-season performances gave an indication of just how talented he is, and has meant the regret of losing Ferreira-Carrasco has been fleeting. Could be one of the stand-out players this season.
Adama Traore
Monaco mark II are a very different beast to the one of two seasons ago. The focus now is on cherry-picking young talent around Europe, letting them blossom and then moving them on for a substantial fee. In Adama Traore the club have signed a player who could certainly become something special in the future.
Adama Traore signs up at AS Monaco (Stephane Senaux)
Signed for €14 million from Lille, the 19-year-old may have only a handful of Ligue 1 games under his belt but that, combined with his performances for Mali at the 2015 Under-20 World Cup, where he was named player of the tournament, was enough for Jardim. Traore is still very raw but the bare bones are there – he’s quick, skilful, creative, good on the ball and packs a powerful shot.
Mathieu Valbuena
A signing that seemingly came from nowhere. No sooner had rumours linking the former Marseille hero with a move to Lyon began than he signed on the dotted line – quite a coup for Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas and another chance for him to get one over his “Olympique” rivals.
Photo avec Mathieu Valbuena ! #teamOL pic.twitter.com/uOeTJmjFDj
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) August 13, 2015
At €5 million Euros, and with the vast experience Mathieu Valbuena brings, his transfer from Dinamo Moscow could well be as masterstroke. With a youthful front line and a perennially injured Clement Grenier in their ranks, the little winger will play a vital role in Lyon’s Ligue 1 and Champions League campaigns.
An attacking trio of Alexandre Lacazette, Nabil Fekir and Valbuena is certainly a thought to relish this coming season. As Ligue 1 transfers go this makes perfect sense.
Jimmy Briand
With last season’s top scorer Claudio Beauvue departing for Lyon in the summer Guingamp have gone for experience to replace him, and in Jimmy Briand they have that in abundance.
Signed on a free after leaving Bundesliga side Hannover, the former Rennes and Lyon striker has nearly 300 Ligue 1 games under his belt. He may ultimately prove to be not as prolific as Beauvue was last season, but considering the fact he has cost nothing his experience alone could prove vital.
SEE ALSO: Ligue 1 Season Review, Player of the Year and Team of the Season 2014/15
Lassana Diarra
After a pretty torrid time in Russia Lassana Diarra will finally see some playing time, after a year away from the game due to contract disputes. Marcelo Bielsa was quick to spot a deal and snapped up the midfielder to help fill the gap left by Gianelli Imbula’s departure.
Diarra’s signing could be vital for Marseille as they were desparately in need of experienced players with so many first team players leaving during the transfer window. With Bielsa now gone players like Diarra will be expected to galvanise a club in disaray.
Renato Civelli
Another experienced player brought back to Ligue 1, Renato Civelli has joined Lille on a free transfer from Turkish side Bursaspor. The centre back spent three successful seasons with Nice before moving to Turkey; indeed his departure from the Cote d’Azur club is arguably still being felt now.
Lille were quick to recruit a replacement for Simon Kjaer, after the Dane moved to Turkey. With over 300 appearances to his name, Civelli brings strength and a commanding presence to a Lille team who have grown accustomed to a strong backline. He could prove to be Herve Renard’s best signing of the summer and at least will cushion the blow of losing Kjaer.
Hatem Ben Arfa
A classic modern day enigma. Hatem Ben Arfa could have achieved so much but a combination of suspect attitude and injury have hindered the French attacking midfielder throughout his career.
The player who earned rave reviews during his time at Lyon and then Marseille eventually got a move to the Premier League with Newcastle United; Magpies supporters will be quick to attest that on his day he was one of the most exciting and talented players in the division, but sadly he seemed determined to thwart his own success. One too many issues meant he was shipped out to Hull City before having his contract terminated.
Ben Arfa has now finally joined Nice, at the second attempt as authorities prohibited his move earlier in the year. At 28 this has the feel of now or never for Ben Arfa. He will be in a young squad and under pressure to perform as a role model, a slightly new role. It could be a genius move, but so easily could also prove another disaster. Either way it should prove entertaining.
Which Ligue 1 transfers do you think have been the best this summer transfer window? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @JustFootball or our Facebook page.
Rich Allen is a French football writer for Just Football who can be found on Twitter @rich_allen85.
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