Ligue 1 Transfer Target: Nice Right-Back Youcef Atal

For French clubs, the transfer window will open on Monday thanks to a recent announcement from the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).

This means that Paris Saint-Germain will be able to negotiate with other Ligue 1 teams for players of interest. International deals are still on hold as a date is being decided.

The decision could work to PSG’s benefit. While Ligue 1 has been shut down, every other top league in Europe has either resumed the 2019-20 season or is about to. Leonardo, PSG’s sporting director, should move quickly to sign players in Ligue 1 that can improve the capital club ahead of other teams who are unable to make any official transfers at the moment.

Ligue 1 is known as the league of talents but only a select few are good enough to make it at a club as big as PSG. If Leonardo is going to make a move, here is who I think he should target:

Youcef Atal

OGC Nice’s Youcef Atal is a player that Paris Saint-Germain fans have coveted for the past few seasons. The 24-year-old is a pacey, attack-minded right-back and would easily come into PSG’s squad and become the starter. He also plays a position that Leonardo has prioritized this offseason.

The only issue with Atal is his injury history. Last summer, he broke his collarbone at the Africa Cup of Nations, and last December, he suffered a serious season-ending knee injury.

Atal is under contract until 2023 and he’s admitted that playing for a club like PSG is one of his career goals.

According to Transfermarkt, Atal’s market value has dipped a bit due to his injuries. They believe the Algeria international is valued around €20 million, which would be within PSG’s price range following the €50 million-plus transfer of Mauro Icardi last week.

Transfer Rating Meter (10=done deal; 1=no chance): 7

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Tags Leonardo Ligue 1 Transfers OGC Nice PSG Mercato Youcef Atal
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