Transfer deadline day: Major signings in Ligue 1 summer transfer window

Transfer deadline day: Major signings in Ligue 1 summer transfer window

After a summer of unprecedented spending, the European transfer window closed at 7 pm BST (11:30 pm IST) on September 1.

Ligue 1 had its fair share of player transactions, with other clubs hoping to displace Paris Saint-Germain from the top of the table this year.

Fresh off its maiden UEFA Champions League triumph, PSG has strengthened its defence with the €63 million signing of Ukrainian centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi from Bournemouth. The 21-year-old will compete with Willian Pacho for a place in the starting XI.

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has returned to Olympique de Marseille on a free transfer from Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah. The Gabonese forward scored 21 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions in Saudi Arabia and has hit the ground running in France, with two goals and an assist in his first three league matches.

After his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months, French star Paul Pogba signed a two-year deal with AS Monaco. The midfielder managed only two appearances for Juventus in the 2023/24 season and has not featured since. Pogba will hope that a return to France can revive his career.

French international goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier joined PSG from Lille for €40 million this summer and was swiftly installed as the club’s first-choice between the posts. His arrival pushed Gianluigi Donnarumma out, with the Italian eventually completing a move to Manchester City.

After finishing a distant second in Ligue 1 last season, Marseille has spent more than €70 million to reinforce its squad, while also adding key loan signings such as World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard from Inter Milan. Roberto De Zerbi’s side conceded 47 goals last season — the most among the top five teams — and the arrivals of Pavard, along with Emerson and Facundo Medina, will be crucial to tightening the back line.

Published on Sep 02, 2025