It has been a worrying few weeks for Ligue 1 champions PSG. The big-spending back-to-back Champions League winners have been struggling to open their cheque book this summer. And as manager Luis Enrique knows full well, when things are going well, if you stand still, you will soon go backwards.
While the Paris giants have spent freely in recent seasons, bringing in the likes of Georgian genius Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the exit door has been busier so far in 2026. Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos has gone to Milan in a big-money move, while attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in has transferred to Atletico Madrid, and another forward, Randal Kolo Muani, has returned to Juventus, where he had a productive loan spell last year.
Enrique’s side suffered a 3-0 beating in their pre-season opener against Real Mallorca, and they face Manchester United on Saturday before starting their competitive action with a UEFA Super Cup tie against Aston Villa next Wednesday.
Fans at the Parc des Princes have been getting restless amidst the swirl of rumours surrounding the future of Les Bleus star Bradley Barcola, who is on Liverpool’s radar. And the club missed out on the signing of Red Bull Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who has agreed a sensational €140 million move to Real Madrid, right under the Parisiens’ noses.
But finally, there is some good news for the PSG faithful as their club has confirmed the signing of French attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche in a €50 million move from title rivals AS Monaco. The 24-year-old, who can also play as a right winger, has already earned 10 caps for Les Bleus and scored 18 goals in 109 games for Monaco. While he is not a direct replacement for Lee Kang-in, Akliouche will be an exciting addition to the PSG frontline after a deal was agreed between the two clubs last week. He cannot be guaranteed a starting place every week in what will surely shape up to be a stellar attack, but PSG’s new signing will get plenty of game time in a side which is defending domestic and European titles.
Elsewhere, PSG are struggling to land Chelsea’s right-back Malo Gusto. Since his 2023 transfer from Lyon, the 23-year-old has been hit and miss in West London, in a side which has failed to deliver over the past couple of campaigns, and the 16-times-capped France star may well welcome a move back to his homeland. But Chelsea are holding out for a big fee. Meanwhile, PSG have been watching Parma keeper Zion Suzuki with a view to making a move for the Japanese star.
The SBOTOP Ligue 1 2026 betting odds are squarely behind Enrique’s boys to defend their title, but their rivals are watching their activities closely.
Challenging times at Marseille
Another top club which has seen more activity through the exit door is Marseille, and it looks like they are about to lose Argentine star Facundo Medina. New manager Bruno Genesio is tasked with improving on Les Olympiens’ fifth-place finish from last term and bringing some stability to the club after the drama of former boss Roberto de Zerbi’s exit. But the impending loss of the 27-year-old defender Facundo Medina will be a blow, just after he made his loan move from RC Lens permanent.
Bundesliga title hopefuls Bayer Leverkusen are the team in pursuit of him, and reports in Germany suggest Die Werkself will pay a €25 million fee to lure the Albiceleste star, who is a versatile player who can play at left-back or on the left side of a centre-back pairing. Medina has apparently agreed personal terms with Leverkusen and is expected to sign a five-year contract in the coming days.
Marseille are also rumoured to be nearing a deal to sell experienced Argentine keeper Geronimo Rulli to Manchester City, who have sold second keeper James Trafford to Leeds United. And while over in Italy, reports suggested that AS Roma were getting close to a deal to take OM’s controversial striker Mason Greenwood to Serie A. The ex-Manchester United man has instead opted for the Turkish league with Fenerbahce.
Through the Marseille ‘in’ door, Timothy Weah has made his move from Juventus permanent in a €14 million deal while Hamed Traore has signed from Bournemouth for €7.7 million, but he has gone out on loan to Genoa. And over the next few days, Marseille are hoping to bring in more new blood, with Real Oviedo right-winger Haissem Hassan expected to move to the South of France. In other Ligue 1 2026 news, it seems that Mexico’s World Cup star Brian Gutierez may be on his way to a Ligue 1 club. He impressed for the hosts in the summer showcase and reports in his home country say the 23-year-old former Chicago Fire midfielder is about to make a move to France. But to which club, we’ll have to wait and see.
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