Ligue 1 – Europe’s top spenders in January transfer window

It was a quiet transfer window across the ‘top five’ leagues as the routine Premier League spending that has characterised windows for the last decade was nowhere to be seen.

The money spent by the English sides usually circulates across Europe lifting spending, but this window instead reflected a greater deal of caution on behalf of the Premier League.

Everton have already faced a points deduction this season, and may well receive another in due course, while Nottingham Forest also have the same threat hanging over their head as the league begins to clampdown on clubs breaking their Profit and Sustainability rules.

This left the unique and unlikely scenario where it was Ligue 1 that represented the biggest spenders across the top five European leagues.

With teams like AS Monaco only bringing Kassoum Ouattara on a small fee and Thilo Kehrer on loan but with an option to purchase in the summer, the money being spent in Ligue during this window was predominantly influenced by three clubs: Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique de Marseille, and Olympique Lyonnais.

PSG looked to bring in extra reinforcements but due to the nature of their squad, any supporting players will have to be of a certain calibre and with that condition comes a price. The club spent €40 million on two promising Brazilians: Lucas Beraldo and Gabriel Moscardo.

Beraldo has already made his debut for the club coming in to replace the injured Milan Škriniar, while Moscardo was sent back to Corinthians on loan following concerns found during his medical.

Marseille’s change of manager midway through the season has led to some disorder at the club, as Gennaro Gattuso desires a different profile of player than his predecessor Marcelino would value. However, despite this