Premier League teams frequently look to France`s Ligue 1 as a source for discovering and signing talented players. This summer is no different, with several prominent stars from the French top flight being strongly linked with moves to England.
Here, we examine five Ligue 1 players who are reportedly on the radar of Premier League sides.
Jonathan David (Lille)
The future of Jonathan David remains uncertain, making the Canadian forward arguably the most appealing free agent currently available. David has decided to depart Lille following a successful period in France and is accessible on a free transfer.
Napoli were initially thought to be leading the chase but appear to have cooled their interest, which has created opportunities for competing clubs. David possesses excellent ability to retain the ball and displays intelligent movement off the ball, complemented by an impressive scoring record of 109 goals in 232 appearances for Lille. He has netted over 25 goals in each of the past three seasons. Given the numerous Premier League clubs searching for attacking reinforcements, he is highly likely to have multiple options.
Evann Guessand (Nice)
Evann Guessand is believed to be attracting attention from English clubs including Leeds United, Wolves, and Tottenham Hotspur, presenting an intriguing profile. Guessand`s form saw a notable rise after transitioning from a central striker role to a position on the right flank, contributing 12 goals and eight assists for Nice during the last season.
Only five players had direct involvement in more Ligue 1 goals than the Ivorian international, who was also the second-most fouled player in the division. At just 23 years old, Guessand has significant potential for further development. A transfer to England could represent the next logical step in his career progression.
Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse)
Charlie Cresswell is currently representing the England U21 team at the European Championship, where the central defender has been instrumental in helping the Young Lions reach the semi-finals. He has played every minute of their campaign so far, following an impressive season with Toulouse.
Cresswell made 31 league appearances for the French side, ranking second in Ligue 1 for aerial duels won and fourth for clearances, highlighting his defensive capabilities.
Alexsandro Ribeiro (Lille)
Another central defender catching the eye in Ligue 1 is Alexsandro Ribeiro. The Brazilian`s strong performances recently earned him his senior international debut this month, making him the first Lille player to represent the South American nation. Since joining Lille from Portuguese second-tier club Chaves in 2022, the 25-year-old has steadily grown in prominence.
Last season, he was among Ligue 1`s leading players for clearances (6th), aerial duels won (6th), and percentage of aerial duels won (6th). However, his skill with the ball at his feet has been particularly impressive. No player carried the ball progressively further than Alexsandro last season, and only three players completed more passes into the final third. He could potentially follow in the footsteps of compatriot Gabriel, who also made a successful move from Lille to the Premier League.
Malick Fofana (Lyon)
Malick Fofana`s breakthrough performances at Lyon have captured the attention of talent scouts. The 20-year-old scored 11 goals in a campaign that marked his emergence, while also ranking among Europe`s top progressive ball-carriers. His average of 6.72 progressive carries per 90 minutes places Fofana in the top two percent of wingers across Europe`s five major leagues. Reports indicate that Liverpool and Chelsea are among the clubs monitoring the Belgian winger, who made his international debut in 2024.
