The 10 Ligue 1 stars who could transfer this summer

Tom Weber

• Updated: 6 May 2024 19:41 BST
• 8 min read

Ligue 1 produces some of the world's biggest talents every season.

2023/24 has been no different and the summer transfer window will yet again see a mass exodus of exciting players. From up-and-coming prospects to some of the best players in the world, many will depart France's shores this summer.

It has been an open secret that Kylian Mbappe will depart PSG for months, but the 25-year-old megastar is far from the only big name who looks set to have an affluent new employer come the start of next season. The likes of Real Madrid, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been scouring the French market and most if not all of them will pluck at least one star from Ligue 1 in the upcoming window.

So, here are 10 Ligue 1 players who could transfer this summer...

READ MORE: The 10 Bundesliga stars who could transfer this summer

Kylian Mbappe (25, PSG)

Kylian Mbappe's PSG contract is expiring and there is no chance of him staying in Paris. The French megastar has been flirting with a move to Real Madrid for years and this summer looks to be the occasion when he finally gets his dream move.

PSG have resigned themselves to losing the biggest name in French football - and the best player in the world - and it will be interesting to see how they will replace him.

READ MORE: The 10 La Liga stars who could transfer this summer

Youssouf Fofana (25, Monaco)

Often erroneously profiled as a midfield destroyer, Monaco star Youssouf Fofana is actually a very good playmaker from deep and will be a valuable asset to his next club.

Out of contract in 2025, it is expected that the France international will be on the move this summer after snubbing a transfer last year. Arsenal, Man Utd, Newcastle and AC Milan have all been linked.

Leny Yoro (18, Lille)

A regular starter for Lille since age 17, teenage sensation Leny Yoro could be Real Madrid's next Raphael Varane. Los Blancos are keen on snapping up the 18-year-old centre-back, but they will face stiff competition.

Pretty much every elite club in the Premier League is keen on Yoro as well and Lille are hoping that a massive bidding war breaks out this summer. They know they can't keep hold of him and with his deal up next year, they must sell this summer.

Jonathan David (24, Lille)

From one Lille star to another, striker Jonathan David will also likely depart Les Dogues in the upcoming window. The Canadian has often been eyed by the Premier League, but his future may actually lie in Italy.

Napoli have reportedly identified the 24-year-old as a replacement for exit-bound Victor Osimhen and the player is said to be open to the move. David had some dry spells in the 23/24 season, but he ultimately yet again proved quite prolific when looking at the season in its totality.

Kevin Danso (25, RC Lens)

Former Southampton loanee Kevin Danso has developed very well since moving to RC Lens. The Austrian has become a rock-solid Ligue 1 defender and has suitors in many parts of Europe.

The 25-year-old centre-back is reportedly on the radar of Man Utd, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, who know him from his time with Bavarian rivals Augsburg.

Jean-Clair Todibo (24, Nice)

Another centre-back who has gone from strength to strength since moving (back) to France is Jean-Clair Todibo. The Nice star has been one of Europe's most sought-after defenders for some time and he will likely be on the move this summer.

Heavily linked with new sister club Man Utd but also the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, Todibo has admitted that he would one day like to return to Barcelona despite his horror stint there previously. The France international will be relatively affordable. According to Fabrizio Romano, he won't command more than €50 million.

Melvin Bard (23, Nice)

A player who we likely wouldn't have included here had it not been for a fairly recent turn of events. This spring, reports surfaced that Man Utd had begun looking at Bard in their well-documented search for a new left-back.

The 23-year-old has been a solid presence on the left for INEOS-owned Nice and could trade the French Riviera for gloomy Manchester this summer. He's certainly a player the new bigwigs at Old Trafford are very familiar with.

Khephren Thuram (23, Nice)

The third and final Nice player on this list is midfielder Khephren Thuram. It has been a fairly disappointing campaign for the son of World Cup winner Lillian and brother of newly-crowned Serie A winner Marcus and it is thought that a change of scenery is needed.

The dull playstyle of coach Francesco Farioli has stifled Thuram's creativity and he will likely head for greener pastures. Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd are long-time admirers of the 23-year-old.

Desire Doue (18, Stade Rennais)

Another talented midfielder who hasn't had the easiest of seasons, Desire Doue is expected to leave Stade Rennais this summer. The versatile creator, who can play on the wing and centrally, is regarded as one of Europe's biggest talents.

Despite this, he barely featured in the early parts of the campaign and only began impressing again towards the end of the season. Doue has been linked with a move to the Premier League and the Bundesliga, with Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen said to be pushing to sign him.

Rayan Cherki (20, Lyon)

Like Thuram and Doue, Rayan Cherki is also coming off a disappointing campaign. Often singled out for criticism when Lyon were circling the drain in the early parts of the season, the wonderkid was often merely a substitute for his hometown club.

One of the most creative and unique talents in all of European football, Cherki's attitude has been questioned, but the player himself has admitted that he feels hamstrung by the exigencies of the modern game. Cherki is an old-school playmaker in the a game increasingly focused on rooting out spontaneity and it is likely that he will leave Lyon this term, with Chelsea and Man Utd among his suitors.