For quite some time, acquiring players from France`s top football division has been a strategy favored by astute clubs. Ligue 1 consistently produces individuals blessed with significant technical skill, combined with the physical resilience needed to thrive in the competitive environment of the Premier League. Successful examples like William Saliba, Jeremy Doku, and Bernardo Silva underline this trend.
Specifically, the city of Paris is arguably unparalleled globally for nurturing football talent, even if Paris Saint-Germain hasn`t always fully capitalized on this local resource. Manchester City has recently secured one of the league`s highly-rated young talents in Rayan Cherki, but the supply of potential stars from France remains abundant.
Below, we highlight three players currently showcasing their abilities in France who we believe would be intelligent signings for several Premier League clubs.
Jonathan David
Given his prolific goal-scoring record and the speculation around a relatively low transfer fee, it`s somewhat surprising that the 25-year-old Canadian international hasn`t already been snapped up. There have been consistent links with Napoli, but reports suggest that potential move has cooled since Antonio Conte committed to staying, as the former Chelsea boss is reportedly not particularly keen on pursuing the deal, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Virtually every club in the Premier League, aside from champions Manchester City, is on the lookout for a striker. David, who netted 25 goals and provided 12 assists across 45 appearances in all competitions last season, represents one of the most compelling options currently available. His club, Lille, also has a well-established track record for developing and transferring top-tier players.
Although concrete offers seem to be lacking, the rumors persist. Manchester United, constrained by Financial Fair Play regulations (PSR), might find David a particularly wise target compared to more expensive alternatives like Viktor Gyokeres. His signing could involve a modest fee and potentially less immediate performance pressure.
Malick Fofana
Lyon`s financial difficulties have been widely publicized, although they successfully avoided the relegation battle that many predicted. While Rayan Cherki`s departure is a notable loss, the reported £30 million fee will provide some welcome financial relief.
Though not matching Cherki`s attacking output precisely last season, the 20-year-old Fofana was a crucial player as Lyon dramatically improved their form to secure qualification for the Europa League. A rapid winger, he contributed 11 goals and five assists, demonstrating significant potential for future development.
Playing predominantly on the left wing, Fofana fits the profile of player targeted by clubs like Chelsea. He possesses a similar skillset and potential outlay to someone like Jamie Gittens, potentially being available for a lower cost. Chelsea were reportedly close to agreeing a fee for Gittens during a mini-transfer window ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup and may revisit that option.
However, should Borussia Dortmund prove difficult negotiators for Gittens, Fofana presents himself as a very viable alternative.
Evann Guessand
Evann Guessand experienced a genuinely breakthrough season with Nice during the 2024-25 campaign. The attacking midfielder was arguably the standout performer for his team, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists across 42 games in all competitions.
Standing slightly over six feet tall, he perfectly embodies the type of Ligue 1 player we described in the introduction – physically imposing yet technically proficient and possessing an impressive reading of the game. It seems unlikely he will remain at Nice for much longer.
According to reports from Sky Sports, Wolves are already actively pursuing a deal for Guessand. Crystal Palace, another potential destination, are looking to add another creative presence to alleviate some of the pressure on star player Eberechi Eze, especially as they prepare for a season involving Europa League football. Guessand would likely be an excellent fit for either of these Premier League clubs.
