A comeback wind is blowing over Ligue 1. Florian Thauvin has followed in Paul Pogba's footsteps to sign his return to France, after four years of exile. While waiting to see what the final sprint of t...
A comeback wind is blowing over Ligue 1. Florian Thauvin has followed in Paul Pogba's footsteps to sign his return to France, after four years of exile. While waiting to see what the final sprint of the summer transfer market has in store, let's take a look at the five most unexpected recruits in L1 so far.
Florian Thauvin (Udinese-Lens)
After a failed stint with the Tigres (Mexico) and a successful passage at Udinese (Serie A), "Flotov" is returning home to discover his fifth French club. At 32 years old, the 2018 World Champion is secretly thinking of a return to the French national team? The dream is allowed.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Al-Qadsiah-OM)
Against all expectations, the Gabonese arrow has terminated his lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia (Al-Qasdiah) to facilitate his express return to Olympique de Marseille. This financial sacrifice has not left the Olympian people indifferent, already won over to his cause after his memorable passage in 2023-24. Will history repeat itself in 2025-26?
Paul Pogba (free-ASM)
Once is not a habit, a star of the French national team will make his debut in Ligue 1 at the age of 32. After going back and forth between Juventus and Manchester United, the Pioche will try to regain his superb form at Monaco.
Two major questions remain: his real physical condition after nearly two years of inactivity and his complementarity with the Monégasque midfielders in place.
Valentin Rongier (OM-Rennes)
Look, another member of the OM family! Rongier to Rennes, probably the most controversial transfer of the summer in Ligue 1.
His status as an ex-star of FC Nantes and his biting comments towards SRFC did not please the Rennes Ultras when he signed. Despite the contentious statements and tweets from the supporters, Rennes still finalized the transfer. A winning bet?
Le Stade Rennais a offert une chèvre à Valentin Rongier en référence à ses propos tenus lorsqu’il était à Nantes. 🐐🤣#TeamOM#ExOMpic.twitter.com/WJWN3W8LCo
— MercatOM (@Mercat_OM) July 21, 2025
Ansu Fati (Barcelone-ASM)
Anssumane Fati in Ligue 1, who would have believed it? Given his emoluments at Barcelone, one could doubt the ability of a L1 club (except PSG) to convince Fati on a salary basis.
Without overthinking, Monaco managed to find the right formula to welcome Fati and Pogba without blowing up their salary grid. Hats off, Thiago Scuro!
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
Category: General Sports
