Danilo Pereira, Jeff Reine-Adélaïde, Michael Cuisance and Jérémy Doku could all prove outstanding signings after moving late in the transfer window to join Paris Saint-Germain, OGC Nice, Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais FC respectively.
ligue1.com takes a look at what impact the four could have on their new clubs.
Danilo Pereira: Porto to PSG
The arrival of the experienced Portugal international is a double-whammy bonus for Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel. The German coach can now use Marquinhos in central defence as he has the player he's been wanting for some time to sit in front of the back four that he felt had been missing when he did not employ the Brazil international in that role.
Marco Verratti? Not defensive enough. Idrissa Gueye? A 'number six' while at LOSC Lille since converted more into a 'number eight' in England. Leandro Paredes, Julian Draxler, Angel Di Maria…all have been used in midfield by Tuchel, but none of them like to play a classic holding role.
Danilo will do that. Adding the necessary steel to the abundant silk of the French champions' line-up. "I'm someone who never gives up, on and off the pitch," explained the UEFA EURO 2016 winner, who tallied the third-most interceptions in the Portuguese league during his five-year spell at Porto. "During a game, I stay focussed right to the last second, I battle for every ball, and I want to play good football."
Photo: psg.fr
Jeff Reine-Adélaïde: Lyon to Nice (loan)
Who saw this coming? The France U21 captain's explosive interview in L'Equipe in early September had set the wheels in motion when he said, "I don't necessarily see my future at Lyon."
But Hertha Berlin — where Lyon teammate Lucas Tousart went over the summer — and Rennes had been mooted as more likely destinations for the former Lens, Arsenal and Angers man who came back from a cruciate ligament injury to help OL to the last four of the UEFA Champions League last season.
He'll now have a UEFA Europa League campaign to look forward to with Patrick Vieira's men, who seem to be well stocked with attacking talent. Where will 'Jeff' fit in? Alongside Kasper Dolberg and Amine Gouiri or Rony Lopes in a 4-3-3? Or, if Vieira is feeling adventurous, with Gouiri and Alexis Claude-Maurice or Lopes in a 4-2-3-1 with Dolberg up top? Wherever he slots in, he will help make Nice one of the teams to watch this season.
Michael Cuisance: Bayern Munich to Marseille (loan)
The Strasbourg-born youngster arrives in the south of France with Bundesliga, DFB Cup and UEFA Champions League winner's medals following an historic 2019-20 season with Bayern Munich.
Cuisance had been in Germany since joining Borussia Mönchengladbach from AS Nancy Lorraine in 2017, and moved to Bayern after two successful years with the Foals.
After making nine Bundesliga appearances last season, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder will be looking to accumulate as much time on the pitch as possible under Andre Villas-Boas. OM's Portuguese boss can use Cuisance as a potential replacement for Dimitri Payet, if the veteran's age catches up with him at any point during the season, but could employ the new arrival in a playmaker role — one Cuisance played at Bayern — or even as a 'false nine'.
The former set-up would mean a departure from the 4-3-3 which has served OM so well in the last 14 months, so could we see Cuisance add another string to his bow and play as a number eight in that formation? He has both the legs and the talent to do so.
Photo: om.fr
Jérémy Doku: Anderlecht to Rennes
The Bretons brought in seven new recruits over the summer, and what if they saved the best to last? Because as well as former OGC Nice defender Dalbert from Inter Milan, Italy international Daniele Rugani from Juventus and Martin Terrier from Olympique Lyonnais, among others, they picked up Doku from Anderlecht in the closing hours of the window.
The 18-year-old is not yet the finished product, but the fact Rennes were willing to sign him for a reported club record fee and offer him a five-year contract suggests they are aware that he has huge potential. The same potential that meant Liverpool reportedly had hoped to sign him when he was just 15.
An exciting winger who can operate effectively on either flank, Doku beefs up Julien Stéphan's attacking options following the sale of Raphinha to Leeds United, and could replace the Brazilian on the right side of the front three even if the Belgium international prefers playing on the left.
"Ligue 1 is a step up from the Jupiler Pro League," said Doku after putting pen to paper on his contrat. "I'll have to show what I'm capable of, but I'm ready."
Photo: staderennais.com
