Mercato: Santos Returns; Brest, Lille & Toulouse Add Veterans

Familiar faces are returning to Ligue 1 as the summer transfer market heats up with the 2024-25 season approaching. Here's a recap of the latest moves as teams bolster their squads for the new campaign.

Santos Returns to Strasbourg

After spending part of the 2023-24 season on loan with RC Strasbourg Alsace, Andrey Santos is returning to the Ligue 1 side from Chelsea. The Brazilian made 11 total appearances and scored one goal for Les Bleu et Blanc. Santos left his boyhood club, Vasco da Gama, in 2023 and moved to Chelsea.

The youngster went on loan to Nottingham Forest as he transitioned from Brazilian to European football. After being recalled from his loan in January, Santos went back on loan, but this time to Strasbourg and helped the French club avoid relegation. Santos is looking to build on his successful loan stint with Strasbourg as the 20-year-old aims to continue his growth as a player.

Mandi Returns to French football

The veteran defender came up through Stade de Reims' youth system and spent eight years on the first team. In 2016, Aïssa Mandi left Reims and France to play in Spain with Real Betis, where he spent six years. The center-back left Real Betis in 2021 and moved to Villarreal, but after four years, Mandi is back in France, where he'll be a key player at LOSC Lille.

Toulouse Add a Veteran Defender

Another player returning to French football is Djibril Sidibé, who brings his veteran leadership to Toulouse. The 32-year-old played for Troyes, LOSC Lille, and AS Monaco before leaving abroad to play for Everton and AEK Athens while also being part of the France national team that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Amavi Returns to Stade Brestois

Jordan Amavi isn't returning to French football like Mandi and Santos, but he's going back to Brest. The 30-year-old scored his first goal from a free-kick in a 3-0 away victory over Toulouse on the final day of the season, which helped the team finish in third place. Amavi is a seasoned Ligue 1 player, having spent time with OGC Nice (on two separate stints), Olympique de Marseille, and Brest. 

Photo credit: SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images

READ MORE:

>>Mercato: Camara Joins Monaco; Nantes, Rennes Add New Faces
>>Mercato: Ilenikhena joins Monaco, Ajorque returns