Mercato: Defenders on the Move!

It's been a busy few days for defenders in the Ligue 1 mercato, with three familiar faces finding new surroundings as the clock ticks down to three weeks before the start of the 2024/25 season. 

Doué heads east

After bringing in Liam Rosenior as manager this week, Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace, have added a third summer signing, following winger Óscar Perea and midfielder Pape Diong. Versatile defender Gúela Doué has joined the eastern side from Stade Rennais. Able to play both centrally and as a right back, Doué joins on a contract through 2029, continuing the Alsatians' youth movement.  A regular for his club, he has also become a senior international for Côte d'Ivoire, despite having only made his professional debut in February of 2023. 

💙🤍 Welcome Guela 💙🤍

Guela Doué has joined the club from Stade Rennais on a contract through 2029 pic.twitter.com/XHqQwnL9qt

— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) July 26, 2024

Sarr returns to France

In the north of France, Racing Club de Lens also added a versatile defender in the former OGC Nice and AS Monaco man Malang Sarr. A pure product of Les Aiglons' academy, Sarr played more than a hundred matches for his first club, before departing for Chelsea in 2020. From the London club, he spent time on loan with both Portuguese side Porto and the Monégasques but failed to break into the first team with any regularity, despite having featured consistently for France's youth teams. He now joins Lens, now managed by former Stade de Reims boss Will Still, as they prepare to qualify for European group play through the UEFA Europa Conference League, on a two-year contract from Chelsea on a free transfer

Clauss to Nice

Finally, OGC Nice have continued to bolster their squad ahead of their own European campaign. After adding the likes of Tanguy Ndombélé to date, under the charge of Franck Haise, they have now added French international Jonathan Clauss on a two-year contract. The Strasbourg-born right back has turned out thirteen for his country, having built a slow-burning career through spells in the lower divisions in Germany before moving back to France, first with Lens and then Olympique de Marseille. 

Read more:

Mercato: Ajorque returns, a new face at Monaco

Rosenior takes charge at Racing