Ligue 1 Transfer Talk: Galatasaray eye up Fabian Ruiz and Denis Zakaria swoops

Two key Ligue 1 stars could be set to leave in the January window while a starlet could get a transfer out of Marseille.

Ligue 1 Transfer Rumours

​Fabián Ruiz from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Galatasaray

​The first name to potentially depart the top flight of French football in January could be Ligue 1 and Champions League winner, Fabian Ruiz. 

That has certainly turned several potential suitors’ heads, including the reigning and defending Süper Lig champions Galatasaray, who were extremely busy in the previous transfer window. Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Singo, Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan were just a few of the names that arrived at RAMS Park over the summer.

So, we will see a carbon copy of that this month, with Ruiz being the latest name to join that star-studded array of recent arrivals. However, trying to prise Ruiz away from the French capital could prove to be difficult, considering he has already made 21 appearances across all competitions this season. 

The sensational Spanish star is part of manager Luis Enrique’s favourite three-pronged midfield alongside Vitinha and João Neves. So any potential discussions over a departure would require the defending Ligue 1 champions to find an adequate replacement. 

All of the lifting in the middle of the park is certainly shared around, with Ruiz’s involvement being 40 attacking returns (G16, A24) across his Les Parisiens’ playing career.

​Denis Zakaria from Monaco to Galatasaray

​If rumours are believed, Monaco’s club captain Denis Zakaria could be on his way to joining Ruiz in Turkey. Zakaria’s move appears as likely to occur as it does Ruiz’s, considering the Switzerland international is currently involved in Monaco manager Sébastien Pocognoli’s plans, when he hasn’t been unavailable. 

An adductor injury has ruled Zakaria out for seven matches, in addition to a three-match suspension. While goals and assists aren’t necessarily part of the midfielder’s main game, he did contribute 10 attacking league returns (G6, A4) last season. 

With Monaco currently struggling in Ligue 1, nine points adrift of the final Champions League qualification position, a potential departure seems improbable.

However, with money doing most of the talking in football when it comes to transfers, Galatasaray could still be in the market to strengthen their ranks. 

Lucas Torreira, Kaan Ayhan and Mario Lemina are operating as the Lions’ defensive midfield options, but it’s never a bad thing to have extra options in case of injuries and suspensions.

​Robinio Vaz from Marseille to Roma

Despite being only 18 years old, France Under 20s international Robinio Vaz has still featured in 14 of Marseille’s 17 Ligue 1 matches across the 2025/26 campaign. 

Finding the back of the net four times and adding a further two assists, the centre forward is playing second-fiddle to Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 

That is understandable considering Greenwood is currently the leading marksman in the top-flight of French football with 11 goals, while Aubameyang has scored over 350 goals throughout his professional career. 

Vaz is one of the most progressive strikers in France, after participating in only two league matches last season. With Champions League experience already under his belt, Roma could test Marseille’s resolve with a bid, considering one of their strikers, Artem Dovbyk, could be set for a transfer in January to fellow Serie A club, Juventus.