If the Ligue 1 clubs should not break the bank, some hope to succeed in the providential recruitment likely to change their second part of the season, like Lyon, disappointing 13th at the truce, or Marseille, which hopes for "two or three players".

Lille, reigning French champion and current 8th in L1, has therefore confirmed the departure for Italy of Jonathan Ikoné.

The 23-year-old French international had been tipped for several weeks at Fiorentina, 7th in Serie A.

"If Jonathan Ikoné leaves, he will be replaced," Lille coach Jocelyn Gourvennec said in a recent interview with AFP.

But the movement may be limited in the North: "we will see what the transfer window gives. The president (Olivier Létang) said that the idea would be to keep a competitive team," said Gourvennec.

Great host of the summer market, with the arrivals of Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos, the Paris SG will be more ant than cicada between January 1 and 31, on the dates of the French winter market.

Barring a major opportunity, the leader of the French Championship does not intend to strengthen during the year, a strategy identical to that of the last four years, with the exception of the transfer of Leandro Paredes in 2019.

Iranian Azmoun, OL target

We must instead turn to teams in poor shape in the standings, those weakened by the African Cup of Nations (January 9-February 6) or selling clubs in search of cash inflows to compensate for the negative effects. the Covid-19 pandemic and the TV rights crisis.

On a seismic fault, the Olympique Lyonnais, who finished the first leg in the second part of the table, meets almost all these criteria.

On a sporting level, the Rhone hope for the arrival of Iranian center-forward Sardar Azmoun, two goals in the Champions League with Zenit Saint-Petersburg this season.

Lyon coach Peter Bosz at a press conference, December 5, 2021 in Bordeaux ROMAIN PERROCHEAU AFP / Archives

"He's a player that we like a lot. To me, to Peter" Bosz, OL coach, sporting director Juninho said in mid-November, interviewed by RMC radio.

Except that the Brazilian, "mentally tired", left from his post after two and a half years.

OL carried out an internal reorganization with the promotion of Bruno Cheyrou, already a member of the sports team.

Threatened, Bosz was confirmed to him in his functions at least until "the end of February", by President Jean-Michel Aulas, in an interview with L'Equipe.

Bakary Sako returns to the Greens

About sixty kilometers away, the leaders of Saint-Etienne, the red lantern of L1, have already applied an electric shock, by appointing coach Pascal Dupraz in place of Claude Puel.

The new technician recommends continuing the treatment: "the transfer window will be important. We must hurry to recruit to strengthen the team, bring more dynamism and consistency in all lines," he said after the defeat against Nantes (1-0) before the break.

Midfielder Bakary Sako under the colors of Saint-Etienne, March 17, 2012 at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium PHILIPPE MERLE AFP / Archives

While the CAN will deprive the Greens of their top scorer, the Tunisian Wahbi Khazri, and the bloodless financial situation of ASSE complicates the equation, the club announced Thursday the signing of a former home, the Malian striker Bakary Sako.

Free of any contract, the 33-year-old player signed up until the end of the season.

OM: Mandanda leaving?

Marseille, third halfway through the championship behind the untouchable PSG, and Nice, have players in sporting failure who could soon leave, starting with the French international goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who has become a substitute.

The names of Luis Henrique and Boubacar Kamara, soon to be at the end of the contract, also come up in the discussions.

"It's a market that normally serves to add quality to an established squad. There will still be opportunities because with the World Cup this year, the players have to be involved, and those who don't. have not much playing time going to want to play, ”summed up Olympian coach Jorge Sampaoli at a press conference on Friday.

Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda during the L1 match against Metz, November 7, 2021 at Stade Vélodrome Sylvain THOMAS AFP / Archives

The OM squad "may have some corrections to make", admitted the Argentinian coach, considering that he lacked "two or three players".

“But there is a budget that does not depend on me,” he continued.

"If that is not possible, we will continue with those who are there."

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© 2021 AFP