Mercato Update: Brassier to Rennes as Gouiri Joins OM and More!

In the final days of the winter transfer window, several Ligue 1 McDonald's clubs have bolstered their squads with key additions to aid them for the second half of the 2024-25 season. Here's a rundown of the additions made by a couple of clubs.

Lilian Brassier Returns to Stade Rennais

Stade Rennais have been very active in this winter transfer window adding players like Brice Samba and Kyōgo Furuhashi. In recent days, Rennes have hired a new manager in Habib Beye, who won his Ligue 1 McDonald's debut match, and now improved their defense with the addition of Lilian Brassier.

Brassier is familiar with Rennes having come up through their youth system before leaving to carve out a career at Valenciennes, Stade Brestois, and a brief stint at Olympique de Marseille. Now, the 25-year-old defender is back home on loan in a move that he believes makes sense.

"Returning to Rennes makes a lot of sense. I’m eager to get to work with my teammates and move forward. Playing at Roazhon Park is simply magnificent. Stade Rennais F.C. is going through a difficult period, but we must not forget that it is a great club with the ambition to compete for the top six. I can’t wait to fight for the Red and Black."

OM bolster their attack with Amine Gouiri

Speaking of Rennes, they also said goodbye to a key piece of their attack as Amine Gouiri left to join Roberto De Zerbi and his team. The 24-year-old came up through Olympique Lyonnais' youth system but found a home at OGC Nice and Stade Rennais as his attacking skills flourished.

Gouiri scored 28 goals and provided 19 assists in 89 appearances for Nice, while at Rennes, he netted 31 goals and recorded 12 assists in 103 matches. While speaking at his press conference, Gouiri noted that playing at a club like OM was the next logical step in his career.

"The project is ambitious—competing in the Champions League and bringing Olympique Marseille back among Europe’s top clubs... I’m still a young player, and Olympique Marseille is the perfect place to work on my consistency. Everything here will help me improve."

"There’s a good kind of pressure. I know how strong the connection is between Algeria and Marseille. This city lives and breathes football. Seeing so many Algerian flags during my presentation meant a lot to me—it really touched my heart and influenced my choice."

LOSC Lille add veteran scorer Chuba Akpom

Lille face a packed schedule in the second half of the season, with commitments in the Coupe de France, Ligue 1 McDonald's, and the UEFA Champions League. To strengthen their attack behind Jonathan David, they have brought in veteran striker Chuba Akpom on loan.

The 30-year-old joins from Ajax, where he has been since 2023, scoring 23 goals and providing four assists in 68 appearances. Akpom enjoyed his best goal-scoring spell at Middlesbrough, netting 34 goals in 82 games for the English club. He also made 131 appearances for PAOK Thessaloniki, scoring 29 goals while recording 13 assists.

Akpom shared his thoughts with the club's official website, highlighting the team's mindset as they prepare for a busy stretch of matches in the coming weeks.

"I'm really happy to be here. LOSC is a top club, one of the best in France, known for playing great football and achieving big things in both Europe and the league. I've already seen the strong team spirit in the group, and I can't wait to get started. I want to thank the President and everyone at the club for giving me this opportunity."

Le Havre bolster the defense with Junior Mwanga

Le Club Doyen are in a relegation battle and decided to bolster their squad to help them secure points to help keep them in Ligue 1 McDonald's with the addition of Junior Mwanga, who is a versatile player and can play as a defensive midfielder or center-back.

The 21-year-old joins Le Havre on loan from RC Strasbourg, where he has been since 2023 and has made 34 total appearances after arriving from Bordeaux.

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