The five most expensive Ligue 1 summer transfers of 2025

Ligue 1’s transfer deadline day featured a mix of late surprises and strategic moves as clubs finalised squads before the international break.

Notable activity included Ben Chilwell’s two-year deal at Strasbourg and Marseille’s loan capture of Benjamin Pavard from Inter. This capped a window where French clubs spent over £433 million on new talent.

The summer’s business was ultimately defined by a fascinating dynamic: reigning European champions PSG fortified their spine for the future, while challengers Marseille invested heavily in both attack and defence in a bid to close the gap.

Showcasing the league’s widespread ambition, Strasbourg made a significant move by raiding the Premier League.

They signed Paraguayan attacking midfielder Julio Enciso from Brighton for £16m (€18.5m). The creative 21-year-old is considered a cornerstone of Strasbourg’s exciting new project, bringing top-flight flair and creativity to their squad.

– Monday, 1 September 2025

The rest of the top four is dominated by Marseille and PSG, starting with a major defensive signing for OM. They completed a deadline-day deal to bring Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd back to France from West Ham for £19.9m (€23m). A winner with West Ham in the 2023 Europa Conference League, the 29-year-old adds crucial experience and stability to the Marseille backline.

Marseille’s heavy investment was not just in defence. They also broke their club transfer record to sign Igor Paixao from Feyenoord for £26m (€30m).

The reigning Dutch Footballer of the Year, the 25-year-old adds significant attacking flair after a sensational season with 18 goals and 19 assists. Together, these two major signings signal a clear statement of intent from the club.

The window’s two biggest deals belonged to the champions, Paris Saint-Germain, who focused on future-proofing their spine.

Their first major move was signing top goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from rivals Lille for £34.7m (€40m). The 23-year-old French youth international is viewed as a shrewd long-term investment, arriving to replace the Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City.

– Tuesday, 2 September 2025

Topping the list is the most expensive signing of the Ligue 1 summer window. PSG invested a massive £54.6m (€63m) to bring Ukrainian international centre-back Illya Zabarnyi from Bournemouth. This move was the centerpiece of the club’s strategy to reinforce their defence after conquering Europe. The highly-rated 23-year-old is expected to be a pillar in the Parisian backline as they aim to defend their domestic and continental crowns.

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