French football clubs still have avenues to sell players even though the transfer windows in Europe’s top five leagues have closed. Saudi Arabia and Turkey remain open for business, giving Ligue 1 sides a chance to finalize late departures and generate additional revenue before those markets close.
Which transfer markets are still open to French clubs?
With England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France having shut their windows, Saudi Arabia and Turkey stand out as the main destinations still able to complete incoming transfers. Both countries operate on different mercato calendars than the major European leagues, meaning clubs there can continue negotiating and signing players from France for several more days.
This timing gap has historically been used by clubs across Europe to push through late sales, particularly for players who fell out of squad plans or failed to secure moves during the traditional summer window. Ligue 1 clubs facing financial pressure or seeking to trim their rosters can therefore still find buyers in these markets.
These late windows give clubs a real opportunity to finalize departures that couldn’t be completed elsewhere, sources close to the market said.
Why does this matter for French clubs’ finances?
French football has faced significant financial strain in recent seasons, driven largely by the collapse of broadcasting revenue following the fallout of the DAZN television rights deal. Selling players to markets that remain active longer than the rest of Europe offers clubs extra flexibility to balance their books before financial fair play assessments and squad registration deadlines.
Saudi Arabia’s Pro League has emerged in recent years as a major destination for players moving from European leagues, backed by substantial financial investment in the domestic competition. Turkey’s Süper Lig has similarly become an attractive landing spot for out-of-favor or veteran players seeking regular football and lucrative contracts.
What happens next in the market?
As the Saudi and Turkish windows edge toward their own closing dates, French clubs are expected to closely monitor any late interest in fringe players still on their books. Deals completed in these markets will not affect squads already finalized in France, Ligue 1’s window having already shut, but they could still bring in transfer fees that ease financial pressure heading into the new season.
