February 1, 2022 at 0:10 by Nicolas Toison
The winter transfer window is, in most cases, calmer than that of summer. Less time, less resources and above all, fewer selling clubs. The 2021-2022 version is no exception to the rule. This year, defending champions LOSC, as well as OL and OM, were among the best-selling clubs. Conversely, teams like PSG or ASSE have remained behind.
Important departures from OL and LOSC
This transfer market goes down in the history of Ligue 1. With a departure from Olympique Lyonnais at more than 40 million euros, Bruno Guimaraes becomes the most expensive sale in the history of the French championship, for a winter. Lille needed cash and were very enterprising, parting ways with Jonathan Ikoné and Thiago Maia early on for 14 and 4 million euros respectively.
PSG and OM needed to relieve finances
Other clubs, such as the current leader of the championship, Paris, but also Marseille, had a need to recover transfer compensation, or to reduce their payroll this winter. It’s done via loans for the capital club, and transfers for OM. In a delicate sporting situation, AS Saint-Etienne has given priority to reinforcements in order to give itself a chance to maintain itself at the end of the season.
The 10 most expensive sales of the transfer window in Ligue 1
Bruno Guimaraes, from OL to Newcastle = €42.1m
Romain Faivre, from Stade Brestois to OL = €15m
Jonathan Ikoné, from LOSC to Fiorentina = €14m
Bilal Brahimi, from SCO Angers to OGC Nice = 7 M€
Thiago Maia, from LOSC to Flamengo = 4 M€
Hassane Kamara, from OGC Nice to Watford = €4m
Wilson Isidor, from AS Monaco to Loko Moscow = €3.5m
Samuel Kalu, from FCGB to Watford = €3m
Dario Benedetto, from OM to Boca Juniors = 3 M€
Yusuf Yazici, from LOSC to CSKA Moscow = €0.35m (paid loan)
Renaud Emond, from FC Nantes to Standard Liège = €200,000
Compensation paid on transfers excluding possible bonuses on each of them