Tuesday 8 January 2019 11:36, UK
With the January transfer window well underway, we take a look at five Ligue 1 players who are reportedly attracting interest from Premier League clubs.
There has been some incredible talent brought to England from France over the years, and we have picked out five names that could make the move across the Channel this month.
There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the future of Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani since Neymar and Kylian Mbappe arrived in 2017. Now, the Express are linking the Uruguay international with Chelsea, who themselves have struggled up front this season.
The 31-year-old has scored 324 goals in 519 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, while Maurizio Sarri has reportedly lost faith in his own strikers - Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata - who have scored just six Premier League goals between them this season.
A product of the PSG academy, Stanley Nsoki signed professional terms with the club in September 2018, with Newcastle having reportedly been interested in him. There is now the option of sending the 19-year-old out on loan to gain more experience, although French football expert Jonathan Johnson is not sure PSG will take this up.
He told the Transfer Talk podcast: "Nsoki is somebody who was wanted by a number of clubs before he committed to professional terms with PSG - Newcastle were one of them. Would PSG consider letting him go? I don't know, I think the player would have to make an explicit request for a bit more playing time.
"The interesting thing about Nsoki at the moment more than anything is that Ajax have shown an interest in him and he could form part of any potential deal to bring Frenkie de Jong and/or Matthijs de Ligt to the Parc des Princes so I don't think PSG will want to part with him on a permanent basis.
"However, considering how short on depth they are in defence, I think PSG will be reluctant to make any decision on that before the closing stages of the January transfer window because they need to be absolutely sure they're covered before they let someone like him go. He is so versatile. He's not only a good left-back, he can also cover central defence and even move into defensive midfield."
Fulham are reportedly interested in the Bordeaux defender Youssouf Sabaly, according to French outlet L'Equipe, with the west London club reportedly making an offer at the end of last week.
However, negotiations are still continuing over the right-back - who impressed for Senegal in last summer's World Cup - with Fulham's defence statistically the worst in the Premier League this season and Claudio Ranieri saying he will let Timothy Fosu-Mensah return to Manchester United.
It could be second time lucky for Cardiff City, who had a bid for Nantes striker Emiliano Sala rejected in December 2018. Neil Warnock's side have struggled in front of goal this season, while the Argentine has scored 12 goals in 16 Ligue 1 games this campaign.
But manager Warnock was unsure about making another offer after the initial bid was rejected a few weeks ago, saying: "We won't have a gun pointed to our head figures-wise. Sala's a good player but there's no guarantee he is going to come and rip the Premier League up. It's a different standard."
Another player linked with Newcastle is Faitout Maouassa, and the Magpies had a £7.15m (€8m) offer rejected for the Rennes midfielder.
The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Nimes - although is struggling to play - with Nice also thought to have been interested in the France youth international. Indeed, challenging for a spot in the U21 European Championship squad this summer is thought to have played a part in the rejected deal with Rennes not yet wanting to part with their talented youngster.
