Mercato: Double swoop for Reims and more
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While we haven't seen more signings of the magnitude of Brice Samba or Seko Fofana of late in Ligue 1 McDonald's, that doesn't mean clubs haven't been busy in recent days. Stade de Reims have added a pair of players, while AS Monaco and Racing Club de Lens have both bolstered their attacking options.
Two new faces in Reims
Reims have had a busy window already in terms of departures, seeing defender Emanuel Agbadou leave for Wolves in the Premier League and Maxime Busi join Dutch side NAC Breda on loan. In their latest two moves, the Champagne side, who face AS Monaco tomorrow in the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France, have made two acquisitions, including a third Japanese player to compliment wingers Junya Ito and Keito Nakamura.
Right back Hiroki Sekine is yet to earn his first senior cap for the Samurai Blue, but the 22-year-old helped his country win last year's U-23 AFC Cup, and is seen as a bright prospect, as able to play centrally as he is on the right. Luka Elsner's team have also added central defender Malcom Jeng -- the 19-year-old Swedish international is similarly versatile, although more capable centrally, and has already made 50 first-team appearances in his country's top flight.
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A return to France and a new Monégasque
Elsewhere, Lens have welcomed a new striker who has already found the net in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Central African Republic international striker Goduine Koyalipou. Born in the country he represents internationally, Koyalipou came through the ranks at Niort in France, before moving to Swiss side Lausanne in 2021. From there, a successful loan spell at Avranches and in Belgium saw him move to CSKA Sofia, where he's already netted 14 times in 16 matches this season. Making his full debut against Le Havre on Sunday, he showed a fine chemistry with Florian Sotoca and netted his side's first goal.
Finally, Monaco have also added a new face in attack in the form of Mika Biereth. The London-born striker spent time at Arsenal's academy before successful loan spells in Scotland and with Austrian champions Sturm Graz saw him join the latter permanently. With 11 goals in the league and two in Europe (including against LOSC Lille), the former youth teammate of Folarin Balogun is an ideal addition to the Principality side.
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