- Ligue 1 saw an exciting breed of attackers rise to recognition last season.
- We profile players who are expected to be in demand this summer.
Last season, Ligue 1 saw an exciting fight for the league’s top scorer, with a startling number of attackers having seasons to cherish.
We’ve profiled players who are expected to be in high demand as a result of their performance in France, which has caught the attention of teams around Europe.
Lois Openda
Lois Openda Photo/Goal
Last season, RC Lens was propelled back into the spotlight by Lois Openda’s goals, which helped the team qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2002/03.
Openda, whose team finished second in Ligue 1, shone as one of France’s best attackers, scoring 21 goals in the league for Franck Haise’s team. With four minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the game against Clermont Foot, Openda’s comeback included the quickest hat-trick in Ligue 1 history.
After two productive seasons spent on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie, Club Brugge signed Openda for €10 million (£8.5 million), but now Lens value the 23-year-old at €50 million (£42.5 million), and teams from all over Europe are vying for his services.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun. Photo/Goal
Folarin Balogun’s impressive performance in Ligue 1 is what has made recruiters throughout Europe take notice of the attacker.
Last season, Balogun, a 21-year-old on loan from Arsenal, scored 21 league goals for Reims, reinforcing his promise in Ligue 1 after recovering from a difficult loan stint at Middlesbrough.
Reims overcame a challenging start to clinch mid-table safety in France thanks to Balogun’s outstanding play, which has caught the attention of several elite teams. Balogun, who is anticipated to permanently depart Arsenal owing to the presence of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah at the Emirates, is said to have interest from RB Leipzig and both Milan teams.
The American international is eager to guarantee regular first-team play next season, and reports suggest that Chelsea and Crystal Palace have also given ideas. Balogun is valued at £50 million by Arsenal, a price that will probably need to be lowered if he is to leave north London.
Jonathan David
After switching positions during his first two seasons, Jonathan David has found a home as a center-forward for Lille. His performance has increased each season since being brought in as an alternative for Victor Osimhen in 2020, culminating in a career-best 2022–23 season.
David increased his total to 52 goals in 112 league games since arriving in France with 24 league goals for Lille during a lackluster season in which they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
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The 23-year-old is still being involved with Premier League teams, and for good reason—the Canadian player possesses a number of qualities that appear well-suited to the English league. He has shown promise when connecting the build-up from deep, and when necessary, he has the speed to open up defenses from behind.
He was in the top 12% of all attackers for both progressive passes received and shot-creating actions last season, placing him in the top 3% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion.
Given that David is still far from being a finished product, Lille valued it at roughly €65 million. His game needs work, but there is undeniable promise for a forward prepared to advance in his career.
Habib Diallo
Habib Diallo. Photo/90Min
Numerous Premier League teams are keeping an eye on Habib Diallo as a result of the forward’s development at Strasbourg year after year.
Following a career-best campaign in which he netted 20 league goals in 2022/23, Diallo has 40 goals in 100 Ligue 1 appearances for the club.
According to reports, the 28-year-old has drawn attention from West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Roma. His goal total was all the more astonishing given Strasbourg’s struggle to stay in Ligue 1 the previous season.
Diallo possesses all the qualities necessary to succeed in the Premier League: he is excellent in the air, diligent, and a goal threat. As West Ham looks for targets in the center of the field, his fundamental statistics seem to be designed for David Moyes’ requirements.
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