Things are getting interesting in Ligue 1, with transfer deadline day for the winter window fast approaching.
PSG and Lyon have made arguably the two biggest moves during this window, although the Parisiens might need to wait until next season to see their new signing.
Meanwhile, Marseille are also making moves of their own as they won the race to land a World Cup midfield ace.
Read on below as SBOTOP catches you up on all the latest transfer news and updates in Ligue 1 as the winter window winds down.
PSG seal deal for Inter Milan defender Skriniar
Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar has confirmed that he has signed a pre-contract agreement with Paris Saint-Germain.
Skriniar can join PSG on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer, but the two clubs are still trying to come to terms on a deal that would see him move to Paris this winter while giving Inter a transfer fee.
PSG were interested in signing Skriniar in the summer and their persistence has finally paid off. The champions suddenly need some reinforcements in defence after a string of disappointing Ligue 1 2023 results that has seen their lead at the top of the table shrink to just three points. The latest of which saw them surrender a 96th-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with Reims.
Danilo Pereira, nominally a defensive midfielder, has started most of the season alongside Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos at centre-back with Presnel Kimpembe injured, so Skriniar’s addition would add some much-needed depth in defence.
In other PSG news, they are reportedly keen to add Zenit St Petersburg winger Malcom for additional depth to their front line. Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas has attracted interest from Nottingham Forest, who have been missing Dean Henderson due to injury.
Lyon sell Malo Gusto but keep Cherki
Lyon have made the biggest sale of any Ligue 1 club in this winter transfer window thus far as they sold promising young right-back Malo Gusto to Chelsea for €35.00m. Although, the 19-year-old has been loaned back to Lyon for the remainder of the season.
Lyon have also made a few more outgoing moves as they’ve sent winger Karl Toko Ekambi and midfielder Romain Faivre on loan to Rennes and Lorient, respectively. Tete, the team’s second-leading scorer with 6 goals, has also left the club after his loan deal from Shakhtar Donetsk expired.
However, one player Lyon are keen to hold onto is Rayan Cherki. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has been subject to interest from PSG, but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has turned PSG’s proposal and emphatically declared that Cherki will stay at Lyon – until the rest of the season, at least.
Meanwhile, Lyon are working to bring head coach Laurent Blanc more attacking weapons to make up for the loss of Tete and Toko Ekambi. They are reportedly close to a deal for Heerenveen striker Amin Sarr, while Lokomotiv Moscow striker Wilson Isidor and FC Koln midfielder Ellyes Skhiri are also on their radar.
Marseille making midfield moves
Marseille have landed one of the breakout stars of World Cup 2022 as they signed Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi from Angers.
OM got the 22-year-old for €8m as they beat out the likes of Serie A leaders Napoli and Premier League club Leeds United, who were also reportedly in the running.
Ounahi’s signing comes on the heels of Marseille missing out on Serbian midfielder Ivan Ilic, who appears to be on his way to Torino.
Marseille are currently in third in the Ligue 1 table and are on a brilliant run of nine straight games unbeaten in all competitions. Although, their eight-game win streak came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Monaco. Ounahi’s arrival will help bolster OM’s Ligue 1 2023 odds of clinching a Champions League spot. Although, there is a possibility that Ounahi might just be a replacement for Matteo Guendouzi, who is being linked with a return to the Premier League. Guendouzi is reportedly a target of Aston Villa, where he would be reunited with old Arsenal coach Unai Emery.
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