Cabella, Wahi, Endrick: Ligue 1 McDonald's active in January window
The transfer window has been open for less than a week, however, Ligue 1 McDonald's sides have been active, with a string of big-name recruits arriving in French football's top-flight.
Wahi returns
OGC Nice, who have recently changed manager and president, have been proactive in recent weeks. With Claude Puel now at the helm, sporting director Florian Maurice has sought to sufficiently arm his new manager as the club look to stave off a relegation battle.
The arrival of Elye Wahi was quickly concluded. The Frenchman left Marseille this time last year to join Eintracht Frankfurt, however, he returns to Ligue 1 McDonald's with a point to prove on a straight loan deal.
Elye Wahi is so back. 💥 pic.twitter.com/KcpomR5QH1
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 4, 2026
He hit the ground running, coming off the bench over the weekend against Strasbourg. He entered the fray at half-time and needed only nine minutes to get his first goal, as Nice went on to secure a vital point against Liam Rosenior's European-chasing side. Once prolific at Montpellier, the France youth international will look to have a big second half of the season.
Lens waiting on Haidara
Lens have also already strengthened. Unlike Nice, whose recruitment drive is to simply secure a serene end to the season, Les Sang et Or are recruiting to compete for the title with PSG.
Pierre Sage's side are top of the Ligue 1 McDonald's table at the halfway point, thanks to Friday night's 3-0 win over Toulouse. Amadou Haidara didn't play any part in that success, but he will soon bolster Sage's midfield options.
The Mali international is currently representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. However, rather than rejoining with RB Leipzig, he will instead join up with his new teammates at the Stade Bollaert later this month. A stalwart in the Bundesliga in recent seasons, Haidara will bring extra physicality to what is already a strong midfield, consisting of Mamadou Sangaré and Adrien Thomasson, two of the standout performers of the Ligue 1 McDonald's campaign so far.
Rémy Cabella - Nantes' firefighter
Another player already in action in his new colours is Rémy Cabella. The former Montpellier, Marseille, Saint-Étienne and Lille attacking midfielder is a familiar face to Ligue 1 McDonald's fans. The 35-year-old had already racked up 330 appearances in France's top-flight prior to his return.
FORMER MARSEILLE PLAYER RÉMY CABELLA SCORES A SECOND FOR NANTES FROM THE PENALTY SPOT! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/FvW2lsQZp2
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 4, 2026
He left LOSC to join Olympiakos over the summer but has made a swift return. No sooner had he made his return than he was on the scoresheet, scoring Les Canaris' second in a surprise 2-0 win over OM at the Vélodrome over the weekend. The Frenchman is tasked with helping get Nantes out of relegation trouble, and he has gotten off to the perfect start.
Endrick arrives at OL with dual objective
Lyon have also made a big signing, one that had been expected. Endrick has joined the club on a straight loan from Real Madrid, where he was struggling for game time in what is a crucial World Cup year.
Xabi Alonso and Los Blancos agreed to loan the Brazilian, who was convinced of the move by fellow lusophone Paulo Fonseca, as well as former PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is now manager of the Selecao. For Endrick, there is a place in the Brazil squad on the line, but his place on the plane to North America will only be booked by performing for Lyon.
Endrick's first training session with Lyon 🦁
📸 @OL_English pic.twitter.com/dqdMuOM5GO— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 2, 2026
He naturally arrives with his expectations, due to the reputation he garnered in his native Brazil, as well as the fee for which he arrived in the Spanish capital. Like Ansu Fati at Monaco, he joins from a La Liga giant looking to rebuild his career, and to fire Les Gones to another European qualification.
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