Thomas Meunier has completed a return to French football, signing for Lille after just five months with Trabzonspor. 

Meunier, who won the Ligue 1 title three times with Paris Saint-Germain during his four years at the Parc des Princes, has signed a two-year contract with Les Dogues.

The 32-year-old featured eight times for Borussia Dortmund this season after missing the start of the campaign through injury, before completing a move to Turkey in February. 

Meunier will provide experience for Bruno Genesio's side, who will compete in the Champions League this season following their fourth place finish in Ligue 1. 

"Lille was the perfect choice from a sporting and family point of view. With its proximity to Belgium, it's like being at home," Meunier said in a statement.

"My experience in the various European Cups will enable me to coach the youngest members of the dressing room and ensure that they're 100% focused on the club's sporting success."

Meunier becomes the French side's third addition this transfer window following the long-term arrivals of Ethan Mbappe and Ngal'ayel Mukau. 

Having allowed defender Leny Yoro to complete a reported £59.8million deal with Manchester United, Lille are expected to dive into the transfer market for further additions to their squad. 

Georges Mikautadze, who earned a share of the Golden Boot at Euro 2024, has returned to hometown club Lyon less than three weeks after being bought by Metz.

Mikautadze netted three times as Georgia reached the last 16 on their major tournament debut in Germany, only to lose 4-1 to eventual champions Spain.

That earned him a share of the Golden Boot alongside five other players; Cody Gakpo, Harry Kane, Dani Olmo, Jamal Musiala and Ivan Schranz.

He spent the second half of 2023-24 on loan at Metz from Ajax, scoring 13 times in 20 appearances but failing to prevent them from being relegated from Ligue 1.

Metz lost a relegation play-off to Saint-Etienne but still exercised a clause to sign Mikautadze permanently earlier this month.

However, it was still believed he could be sold on for a profit, and Lyon have now sealed a deal worth a reported €18.5million.

Mikautadze has signed a four-year deal with the club, whose youth teams he represented between 2008 and 2015, having been born in the city to Georgian parents.

"He was courted all over France and Europe, but Georges Mikautadze has always given his priority to Olympique Lyonnais," a club statement said.

"His attachment to the club and his great determination will be invaluable assets for the many challenges ahead."

Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Rennes forward Martin Terrier in a deal worth around €20million.

The French forward has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the reigning Bundesliga champions.

Terrier is Xabi Alonso's third signing ahead of the 2024-25 season, joining Jeanuel Belocian and Aleix Garcia at BayArena.

The 27-year-old scored 42 goals across his last three seasons with Rennes, despite missing nine months of action with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

"It's been my wish to move to a big club abroad in Europe after seven years as a professional in France," he told the club's official website. 

"The fact I now get to show my skills with the German double winners is magnificent and a special motivation for me.

"Bayer 04 also made headlines in France with their achievements last season. It's fantastic to be a part of this team from now on."

"In Martin Terrier, we've gained a prolific, fast and intelligent forward," Leverkusen's managing director for sport, Simon Rolfes added.

"Martin is a strong finisher and versatile - a good footballer who fits into our team superbly with his profile. We're delighted he's decided to join us."

Manchester United have announced the signing of highly rated 18-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille.

United are reported to have paid the French club an initial £52.2million (€62m), a fee that could rise to £58.9m (€70m).

The move, which is subject to registration, sees Yoro sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option for a further year.

"Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour," Yoro said.

"Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project and showed a lot of care for me and my family.

"I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started."

Yoro made just 46 appearances in Ligue 1, 38 as a starter, and had only a year remaining on his Lille contract, but Real Madrid were said to be keen on the exciting young defender.

So United, who have been looking to sign at least one centre-back in this transfer window, have made their move, pipping Madrid and other potential suitors.

Erik ten Hag's side have also been linked with moves for Jarrad Branthwaite and Matthijs de Ligt and could yet return to the market to further bolster their defence.

For now, United manager Ten Hag can look forward to pairing Yoro with Lisandro Martinez, who missed a large part of last season due to injury.

What will Yoro bring?

Martinez's absence impacted United's ability to play out from the back, having replaced long-standing goalkeeper David de Gea with Andre Onana in a bid to improve their build-up play.

Despite his inexperience, Yoro should be able to have an immediate impact in that regard, showing his ability on the ball last season as he completed 92.1% of his passes in Ligue 1.

Among United players to attempt multiple passes in the Premier League in 2023-24, only Martinez himself (92.2%) could top that mark.

Harry Maguire, who made more starts than any other centre-back (18) for an injury-ravaged team, trailed considerably in that metric, completing just 83.1% of his passes.

Yoro does not yet dominate physically like Maguire or Raphael Varane in a defensive sense, but he has been compared to the France World Cup winner by Lille's academy director Jean-Michel Vandamme.

Dan Ashworth, United's sporting director, said on Thursday: "He possesses every attribute needed to develop into a top-class centre-back."

Strasbourg have announced the departure of head coach Patrick Vieira by mutual consent.

Vieira was in charge of the Ligue 1 side for just a single season, having signed a three-year deal at Stade de la Meinau last July.

The 2023-24 campaign was one of transition for Le Racing, who finished 13th in the French top flight, with Vieira introducing several younger players into the side.

Strasbourg, who begin their 2024-25 season against Montpellier on August 18, will now seek a successor to the former New York City, Nice and Crystal Palace boss.

"We would like to express our gratitude and thank Patrick for the work he has accomplished during this first phase of the project, and we wish him much success in the future," club president Marc Keller on the club's official website. "He will always be welcome at the club."

Manchester United have confirmed Mason Greenwood's departure to Marseille.

Greenwood, who has not featured for United since January 2022, has joined the French club for a reported €31.6million (£26.6m).

The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal with Marseille, who are now coached by former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Greenwood spent last season on loan at Getafe, scoring eight times across 33 LaLiga appearances.

The attacker was suspended by United in 2022 after he was arrested and charged with alleged assault, attempted rape and coercive control.

The case against Greenwood, who denied the allegations, was subsequently dropped.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined newly promoted Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah on a two-year deal.

The 35-year-old is the latest high-profile signing for the Khobar-based club, following the arrivals of Nacho and Koen Casteels from Real Madrid and Wolfsburg respectively.

Aubameyang joins after just one season with Marseille, for whom he scored 30 goals in 51 appearances while also becoming the record marksman in Europa League history.

A LaLiga title winner with Barcelona, the forward also won the DFB-Pokal during his time with Borussia Dortmund, and the FA Cup at Arsenal.

Aubameyang stepped onto the pitch for the first time with his new club during their pre-season friendly with Borussia Monchengladbach on Thursday.

Khephren Thuram has joined Italian giants Juventus from Nice in a move reportedly worth €20million (£16.9m).

Thuram, a 23-year-old midfielder, has signed a five-year deal with Juve.

He follows in the footsteps of his father, the former France international Lilian Thuram, who also played for the Bianconeri.

Indeed, he also joins his brother Marcus Thuram in Serie A, which the attacker won with Inter last season.

While Marcus was part of France's squad for Euro 2024, Khephren did not make the cut, though he was named in Thierry Henry's Olympic squad, only to withdraw.

Thuram is the third signing of the summer window for Juve, who have also brought in Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa and goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio from Monza.

Roberto De Zerbi has no intentions of prejudging Mason Greenwood as speculation grows over a move to Marseille for the Manchester United forward.

Greenwood spent last season on loan at Getafe and has not played for United since being suspended by the club in January 2022 after being arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and assault.

The 22-year-old was subsequently charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

However, the charges were later dropped due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and "new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction".

Marseille are said to be interested in taking Greenwood away from Old Trafford, with reports suggesting an initial loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer worth in the region of £27m ($35m).

Newly appointed Marseille head coach De Zerbi says he will defend Greenwood as he would any other player if the one-cap England international joins.

"Mason is a world-class player but we have not recruited him yet," De Zerbi said at Tuesday's press conference.

"I don't know what happened but I am not used to get involved in my players' private life. But if he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons.

"I can tell them off in private but I would never attack them in public."

Valencia have reportedly also placed a bid for the Man Utd attacker, while Lazio, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus are said to be monitoring the situation.

Greenwood scored eight goals while on loan at Getafe last season, as well as recording six assists.

Ethan Mbappe, the younger brother of Real Madrid and France star Kylian, has joined Lille on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

The 17-year-old made five appearances for PSG across all competitions last term, making his senior debut against Metz last December.

He was expected to leave the Ligue 1 champions after his older brother sealed his long-awaited move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but he will stay in France with Lille.

The midfielder has signed a three-year contract with his new club, his first professional deal after he had played on a youth contract with PSG.

Speaking to the club's website, he said: "I am very happy to join LOSC. I look forward to starting this adventure and meeting my new team-mates, the staff, as well as the supporters. 

"For me, at my age, staying in France was the best option to progress. I think LOSC was the best project. It is one of the best in France. It's a real pride to be able to play here."

Iliman Ndiaye has completed a £16m (€18.5m) move from Marseille to Everton.

Ndiaye, a Senegalese international, has signed a five-year deal with the Toffees.

He is Everton's third signing of the transfer window, after the addition of Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa and the re-signing of Jack Harrison, who rejoined the club on loan from Leeds United.

The 24-year-old only joined Marseille, his boyhood club, last year, having previously starred in the Championship with Sheffield United. However, he netted just three times in Ligue 1 last season.

Everton, though, will be hoping Ndiaye replicates the form he displayed in the second tier when he propelled the Blades to promotion in 2022-23.

Ndiaye was fourth-best in the Championship for goal contributions (24 - 14 goals, 10 assists) that season, while his tally of 111 dribbles completed ranked behind only Patrick Roberts (112) and Joao Pedro (116). He converted 20% of his shots.

"I am so pleased to be an Everton player," Ndiaye told evertontv. "I'm so excited and can't wait to get going.

"As a player, I like to dribble, show skills and get the fans out their seats. I want to score goals and get assists, but I also like to work hard. I love running, chasing the ball, getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you're the first defender. I love doing that bit."

Sean Dyche's team certainly need an extra attacking threat. They were the league's second-lowest scorers, with just 40 goals, and the competition's biggest expected goals (xG) underperformers, scoring 15 fewer goals than would have been anticipated based on the quality of opportunities they created (40 goals from 54.9 xG).

Georgia's Euro 2024 breakout star Georges Mikautadze has joined Metz on a permanent basis but could yet be sold on, with West Ham, Newcastle United and other clubs reportedly interested.

Mikautadze enjoyed an excellent campaign with the major tournament debutants, who reached the last 16 but were beaten 4-1 by Spain on Sunday.

He scored three goals in the group stage, two of them from the penalty spot, and remains joint-top of the competition's goalscoring charts, alongside Germany's Jamal Musiala and Slovakia's Ivan Schranz.

The 23-year-old's strikes came from a total of 2.26 expected goals (xG) – currently the second-highest figure at the tournament behind Kai Havertz's 3.7.

His conversion rate of 50% (six shots taken), meanwhile, is the fourth-best of all players to have scored multiple goals at the competition, behind Niclas Fullkrug and Jude Bellingham (66.7%) and Schranz (60%).

Mikautadze played for Metz's youth teams before re-joining on loan from Ajax in January, in a deal containing a €10million purchase clause.

He scored 13 goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances but was unable to prevent Metz from being relegated, losing a play-off to Saint-Etienne as the teams swapped places.

While Metz have taken up their option to make Mikautadze their player, his stay may not be a long one.

Reports suggest he could yet be sold on for a profit, with the likes of West Ham, Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Monaco credited with an interest.

It is believed a fee of around €20m (£16m) could be enough to prise him away from the Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Marseille have confirmed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach.

It was announced on Tuesday that the club had agreed a deal in principle with the Italian, before confirming he has signed a three-year contract on Saturday.

In a statement to the club website, De Zerbi said: "I'm delighted to be joining Olympique de Marseille, as I had a very strong desire to join the club.

"The history and prestige that surround OM, the passion and fervour of its supporters, and the seriousness and enthusiasm shown to me by Frank [McCourt], Pablo [Longoria] and Medhi [Banatia] were all decisive factors in my decision to embark on this exciting challenge.

"I can't wait to sit on the bench at the Orange Velodrome, this time as OM coach, and help the club regain the position that Marseille deserves."

De Zerbi, whose shock departure from Brighton was announced the day before the end of the 2023-24 season, led the Seagulls to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League after taking over from Graham Potter in 2022, securing European football for the first time in their history.

Brighton topped their Europa League group, beating Marseille in the process, but were knocked out by Roma in the round of 16 before slumping to an 11th-place finish in the league.

The French side, meanwhile, went through three managers last season, with Jean-Louis Gasset overseeing the end of the campaign as Marseille finished eighth in Ligue 1, outside the European places.

Marseille have announced they have agreed a deal in principle for Roberto De Zerbi to be their head coach.

In a statement, Marseille said they were "working with all stakeholders to formalize the arrival of the Italian coach, as well as that of his staff, on the OM bench and prepare for his arrival in Marseille in the coming days."

De Zerbi, whose shock departure from Brighton was announced the day before the end of the 2023-24 season, led the Seagulls to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League after taking over from Graham Potter in 2022, securing European football for the first time in their history.

Brighton topped their Europa League group, beating Marseille in the process, but were knocked out by Roma in the round of 16 before slumping to an 11th-place finish in the league.

The French side, meanwhile, went through three managers last season, with Jean-Louis Gasset overseeing the end of the campaign as Marseille finished eighth in Ligue 1, outside the European places.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vowed he would continue to make Napoli fans happy, amid speculation linking him with a move away from the Serie A side.

The Georgia winger is reportedly on the radar of reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, after two seasons at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Kvaratskhelia played a key role as Napoli won the Scudetto in 2022-23, with 12 goals and a league-high 10 assists.

He was also one of the Partenopei's standout performers during their disappointing title defence last term, in which they finished 10th, as he still managed to register 11 goals and six assists. 

The 23-year-old, who is gearing up to feature in Georgia's major tournament debut at Euro 2024, feels he has a "big responsibility" to reciprocate the support he has received - for club and country.

"I feel so much affection in Naples, and first of all, I would like to say that the people who are at my side and support me are helping me a lot, and it is a great responsibility," he told Georgian media in quotes reported by journalist Kakha Dgebuadze.

"This is a very big responsibility, because when a person appreciates you and loves you - whether you are on or off the field - you have to respect and justify their hopes.

"I also work hard and do everything to make my fans happy. I will do everything not only for the fans there [in Naples], but also for Georgia. I will continue to try to do more and make my fans happier."