5 Exciting New Signings to Watch in Ligue 1
From Maghnes Akliouche’s move to European champion Paris Saint-Germain to Loïs Openda’s return to France, Ligue 1 welcomes several intriguing new faces for the 2026/27 season.
Ligue 1 enters 2026/27 with Paris Saint-Germain still setting the standard, but France’s transfer market has produced several moves worth following beyond the defending champion. Established stars have changed clubs, promising talents have arrived from abroad and some of the league’s challengers have strengthened their attacks.
Here are five new signings who could make an immediate impact.
1. Maghnes Akliouche — Paris Saint-Germain
The headline move belongs to Maghnes Akliouche. PSG signed the 24-year-old from AS Monaco through 2031, adding another technically gifted attacker to Luis Enrique’s squad.
Akliouche finished 2025/26 with seven goals and 11 assists in 43 matches for Monaco. Capable of operating between midfield and attack, his creativity and left foot should fit naturally into a side built around movement and positional interchange. He has already started for PSG in its UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa.
2. Loïs Openda — Olympique Lyonnais
One of the most intriguing returns is Loïs Openda. Olympique Lyonnais reached an agreement with Juventus to sign the Belgian striker on a season-long loan for €3.5 million.
The move brings Openda back to a league he already knows. His pace, aggressive runs behind defensive lines and ability to attack space give Lyon a proven threat as the club tries to move closer to France’s elite.
3. Matthis Abline — AS Monaco
After losing Akliouche, Monaco invested in Matthis Abline, signing the 23-year-old striker from Nantes through 2031.
Abline produced eight goals and seven assists in 35 Ligue 1 appearances last season. His combination of speed, movement and dribbling makes him particularly interesting in a Monaco team entering a new cycle under Filipe Luís.
4. Julien Duranville — Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon also made a longer-term investment by signing Julien Duranville from Borussia Dortmund through 2031.
The Belgian winger remains a high-upside talent. His acceleration and one-on-one ability can provide a different dimension on the flanks, and preseason already showed that he has adapted quickly to his new surroundings.
5. Eliezer Mayenda — Stade Rennais
Finally, Rennes brought Eliezer Mayenda back to France from Sunderland and signed him through 2031. The 21-year-old made 20 Premier League appearances last season, scoring twice.
Quick, powerful and capable of playing centrally or wide, Mayenda gives Franck Haise another flexible attacking option.
These five transfers offer different levels of expectation, but each brings something Ligue 1 needs: talent, unpredictability and another reason to follow the 2026/27 season closely.
