What awaits in Ligue 1's winter mercato?
Between the Africa Cup of Nations, sporting difficulties, injuries, and market opportunities, the clubs of Ligue 1 McDonald's have many reasons to be active during the winter transfer window, which opens on Thursday, January 1st and closes on Monday, February 2nd (8:00 PM).
RC Lens: Another Malian arrives
A revelation for Lens during the first half of the season, Mamadou Sangaré surely influenced the club's management, who have finalized the signing of another Malian international midfielder this winter. The arrival of Amadou Haïdara (27 years old) from RB Leipzig was announced on Tuesday, with the signing of a contract until 2029. Not used this season in Germany due to his contractual situation, he nevertheless played 5 matches with the Malian national team, notably coming on as a substitute in Mali's first match at the Africa Cup of Nations. Having made his name at RB Salzburg, this experienced player has over 200 appearances for Leipzig. "Amadou has established himself at Leipzig as one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga, and his technical qualities, attacking prowess, and defensive abilities are now recognized in Europe," said Lens sporting director Jean-Louis Leca regarding the Malian international (48 caps). In midfield, Nigerian player Ojediran is expected to leave the club.
Olympique Lyonnais: Already a major signing
Like RC Lens, OL acted even before the official start of the winter transfer window by confirming the arrival of Endrick on Tuesday. The Brazilian striker from Real Madrid (19 years old) is on loan until the end of the season. The player, who will wear the number 9 shirt, comes with the objective of securing a place in the Seleção squad for the World Cup. He will surely need a few weeks to get up to speed after a first half of the season where he only played 99 minutes (spread across 3 appearances). "We are working to complete the squad during the January transfer window," hinted coach Paulo Fonseca, who has already brought in Hans Hateboer as a wildcard. OL will also be strengthened internally with the upcoming returns of Ernest Nuamah, who had been seriously injured, and Malick Fofana, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since October 26. While Tanner Tessmann's departure remains a possibility, the names of Himad Abdelli and young Danish U21 international Noah Nartey are being mentioned as arrivals.
Endrick is HERE 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/kk4KAeNfes
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 23, 2025
PSG: Academy players rather than new signings?
At PSG, the last winter transfer window saw a superb acquisition with the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in January 2025, from Napoli. A coup made possible by the convergence of interests between the two clubs. In January 2024, the Parisian club also brought in young Brazilians Lucas Beraldo, a squad player, and Gabriel Moscardo (who has been constantly on loan since). For 2026, recent statements from the sporting management suggest limited activity from PSG. "Thinking about signing five or six players every year is not our model. We trust those who signed last year or two years ago, or young players," said Luis Enrique, who is placing a lot of faith in the academy players. This announcement echoed that of sporting advisor Luis Campos on November 24: "Just because you go to the supermarket a lot doesn't make you a good cook. The important thing is to go in the right direction, not to stockpile players." So, no extravagant spending is expected from the Parisian club.
OM: A backup for Greenwood?
Pablo Longoria initially indicated to Ligue 1+ that OM would be "making adjustments. This doesn't necessarily mean signing new players. We need to take stock and get three important players back." Indeed, Roberto De Zerbi will be getting back three players who have been little or very little used since the start of the season due to injuries, including two summer signings. Namely, Facundo Medina (146 minutes played), who has already returned in the Coupe de France, Amine Gouiri (381 minutes), and Hamed Junior Traoré (86 minutes). These three players could play an important role from January onwards, with six matches for the third-placed team, including Liverpool, Lens, and Bruges. Pablo Longoria is considering strengthening the squad in attack: "We will look to improve the team. I think it's necessary to have an extra attacking player. Perhaps find a player with similar characteristics to Mason Greenwood." Regarding departures, the director specified that there would be more departures than arrivals but ruled out a departure for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
AS Monaco: Stay or go for Ansu Fati?
At AS Monaco, the numerous injuries in defense had led the Principality club to consider reinforcements in this sector a few weeks ago. But the returns of Dier and Mawissa have surely changed the situation. Up front, Ansu Fati (on loan from Barça) ended the year injured and has gone 7 matches without scoring. Will he be subject to an early return to Barcelona? A possibility mentioned by the Spanish media. Finally, Takumi Minamino suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the Coupe de France, but the club will not necessarily replace him.
Ansu Fati gives Monaco the victory! ✅ pic.twitter.com/bmSFRTTMEq
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 21, 2025
FC Nantes: major changes afoot?
Among the lower-ranked teams, FC Nantes has changed coaches, appointing Ahmed Kantari. Deiver Machado already joined Nantes in December, arriving as a free agent. And the Colombian might not be the only Lens player to become a Canary this winter. The name of Florian Sotoca (35 years old) has been mentioned in the press. But it's another experienced attacking player who seems closest to arriving: Rémy Cabella, who left Lille for Olympiacos last summer. The arrival of Strasbourg's Abakar Sylla was briefly discussed but is not expected to materialize.
OGC Nice: Richardson to return?
In Nice, new manager Claude Puel is hoping for reinforcements in all areas of the pitch, as he reiterated on Sunday after the team's qualification in the French Cup. Loan signings have already been mentioned, such as that of Elye Wahi, who is struggling at Frankfurt, and that of midfielder Amir Richardson (Fiorentina). A product of the club's academy up to the U17 level, the latter would like to return: "Nice is clearly my priority." Internally, the club hopes to be able to rely more on its captain Dante (2 league appearances) and Tanguy Ndombele, who has been playing again since the beginning of December.
Paris FC: Could they make a big splash?
Disappointing in recent weeks, PFC could use its financial strength to bring in several players during the transfer window. "We've already started working on this for some time with our management," Stéphane Gilli said a few days ago. Le Parisien mentioned the name of Arnaud Kalimuendo, the former Rennes striker who left for Nottingham Forest, as well as that of Saint-Étienne's Lucas Stassin.
AJ Auxerre: Reinforcements promised
While Christophe Pélissier is once again calling for experienced players after not being sufficiently listened to last summer, AJA owner James Zhou announced in the Yonne Républicaine that he would "strengthen the team during the break." The name of attacking midfielder Romain Faivre is circulating. He could be loaned by Bournemouth after spending the first half of the season in Saudi Arabia (also on loan).
Stade Rennais FC: An attacking midfielder in their sights?
At the beginning of December, Habib Beye opened the door to a few departures: "There are key players who are playing less, we also need to look at their status, and there may be a desire for them to go elsewhere. [...] I think this transfer window will be quite calm, but there is still a desire to adjust this group and make choices so that this team is better, that there may be a form of regeneration through one or two arrivals." According to Ouest France, the club would like to sign an attacking midfielder, who could be the young Argentinian from Manchester City, Claudio Echeverri, on loan (the formula he used at Leverkusen for the last six months, where he didn't impress). Sporting director Loïc Désiré also opened the door to a departure for Glen Kamara
Toulouse FC: No major departures this winter
Thanks to their 8th place at the break, Téfécé has players who have stood out this season, such as Donnum, Gboho, and Cresswell. Olivier Cloarec (president of TFC) was questioned by AFP about the future of the English defender: “It doesn't only depend on us. Currently, our goal is to keep the same group, not to make any changes. If there is one or two opportunities, and Carles approaches us, we will study them very seriously. As we speak, there will normally be no major departures in January. But in football, sometimes such unbelievable things happen...” Regarding arrivals, Martinez Novell would like to find a replacement for the Ghanaian midfielder Abu Francis, who was seriously injured during the last international break.
And elsewhere…
Excellent with Dunkerque, the young winger Gessime Yassine (20 years old) reportedly has several suitors in Ligue 1 McDonald’s, including LOSC, according to La Voix du Nord, but also OM and Strasbourg. The Alsatians are also reportedly targeting a young Ecuadorian international striker, according to L'Equipe. This is Jeremy Arévalo (20 years old), who scored 8 goals in 18 Spanish second division matches with Santander.
Elsewhere, many clubs are in the same situation: they will have to trim their squad to strengthen it. At FC Metz, it is "not necessary to make any changes during the break," according to sporting director Frédéric Arpinon. However, the case of Bouna Sarr, who has been training with the group for several weeks after initially joining to regain fitness, will need to be monitored.
Le Havre could be tempted to strengthen their attack. The forward position is one where Angers' Sidiki Chérif has many suitors. In Brest, there are questions about the goalkeeper position, where Majecki has not convinced and has seen Coudert, initially planned as number 2, overtake him. On the Lorient side, coach Olivier Pantaloni said he hoped for reinforcements by the end of November, especially since five players are currently at the Africa Cup of Nations.
