New year, new squad. In January, this is the possibility offered to French professional football clubs. For a whole month and sometimes a little more, they have the possibility of changing all or part of their squad to cover the second half of the season. In 2026, the winter transfer window opens this Thursday, January 1 and ends on Monday, February 2.
FC Nantes and OGC Nice as the main leaders?
But already, even before the kick-off is officially given, the first negotiations have taken place. And many will follow quickly, particularly among clubs required to reform to improve sporting performance. We think of FC Nantes in particular, mentioned on many tracks, or of OGC Nice. These two clubs have recently changed coaches, the first has already formalized at the beginning of the month the arrival of Machado from RC Lens, the other is said to be on the verge of completing Wahi’s loan for six months.
Endrick, OL’s great catch
As for the other recruits already registered, the main one is Brazilian and bears the name Endrick. This is the great pick of Olympique Lyonnais, who smelled a good deal by enlisting for six months, on loan and without an option to buy, the Madrid talent on whom Xabi Alonso, the Real coach, does not rely, or only little.
RC Lens also benefits from the moods of players kept aside, the northern club has formalized the arrival of Amadou Haidara from RB Leipzig, with financial efforts on the part of the player to reduce his salary to match the means of his new employer.
All transfers made official in Ligue 1 on the eve of the opening of the transfer window
Departures:
Saël Kumbedi, from Lyon to Wolfsburg = €6 million
Deiver Machado, from Lens to Nantes = €0.5 million
Arrivals:
Endrick, from Real Madrid to Lyon = €1 million (paid loan)
Amadou Haidara, from Leipzig to Lens = €1 million
Deiver Machado, from Lens to Nantes = €0.5 million (early December)
