LIGUE 1'S MOST WANTED

1. Eden Hazard, 21, Lille attacking midfielder

Ligue 1's Young Player of the Year for two seasons running, the Belgian playmaker won the senior prize last term after inspiring Les Dogues to the league and cup double with seven goals and ten assists. Although Hazard has not been quite so dazzling this term, his stats have improved - he already has 12 goals and nine assists - and his coach Rudi Garcia says he has become a more rounded, mature player.



Strengths: His greatest asset is his ability to do everything at speed. Whether dribbling, passing or finishing, he does not give his opponents time to react.
Weakness: Still tends to drift out of games from time to time.
Best position: Won the double playing left wing but exerts more influence in the central attacking midfield role.
Valuation: Lille have set his price at €40m
Who (reportedly) wants him? PSG, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Internazionale
Where's he most likely to go? Manchester City

2 Yann M'Vila, 21, Rennes midfielder

A key element in Laurent Blanc's France team, M'Vila plays the midfield holding role with the intelligence of Claude Makelele and the grace of Patrick Vieira. The Rennes youth product reads the play brilliantly and generally distributes the ball in a clean, unfussy and useful way. Although his form has dipped in recent months - possibly due to the fact he has played 100 league games in little more than two-and-a-half seasons - M'Vila will be a serious target for many of Europe's leading clubs this summer.



Strengths: Maturity on the pitch, ability to read the game, passing.
Weakness: Sometimes tries to do too much with Rennes.
Valuation: €25m (or even more if he impresses at EURO 2012)
Who (reportedly) wants him? Real Madrid, Internazionale, Arsenal, Manchester City
Where's he most likely to go? Real Madrid

3. Hugo Lloris, 25, Lyon goalkeeper

World-class goalkeepers are a rare commodity but the France captain is showing again this season he belongs in that category. The former Nice custodian has already played more than 200 top-flight games but is still waiting to win his first trophy. Unlucky to have joined Lyon at the end of their period of domination, Lloris would love to win one or both of the domestic cups in the next two months before, maybe, trying his luck abroad. OL need to qualify for the Champions League - then convince him to stay.



Strengths: Wonderful reflexes and ability to dominate his penalty area. Calm. Assured.
Weaknesses: Size. He is only 6'1" and has a relatively slender build.
Valuation: €22m
Who (reportedly) wants him? Manchester United, Tottenham
Where's he most likely to go? Nowhere

4. Loïc Rémy, 25, Marseille striker

Didier Drogba says if a striker can succeed at Marseille he can succeed anywhere. That bodes well for Rémy who has scored 25 goals in 54 league games for OM and is widely recognised as the club's best, most important player. He has reached double figures for Ligue 1 goals in each of the last four campaigns, but has taken his game to a new level this term. Will want to play Champions League football next season - something crisis-hit Marseille might struggle to offer.



Strengths: Runs with the speed and grace of a young Thierry Henry; if Rémy gets a yard on a defender he will not be caught. The timing of his headers is also exceptional.
Weakness: Is learning to make the right runs at the right moments but can still improve.
Best position: Likely to play right wing for France this summer, he is at his most dangerous in the centre forward position.
Valuation: €20m
Who (reportedly) wants him? Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool
Where's he most likely to go? Tottenham

5. Olivier Giroud, 25, Montpellier striker

Ligue 1's 17-goal top scorer is a leading contender for Player of the Year. The strong, burly centre forward has led Montpellier's attack with a devastating combination of power, intelligence and skill. One season does not make a career, but suggestions he will become 'the next André-Pierre Gignac' are unfair. Giroud's rise from Ligue 2 journeyman to France international has been steady and he his continuing to improve.



Strengths: His aerial prowess, physicality and a surprisingly cultured left foot.
Weakness: He's not the quickest
Valuation: €18m (Montpellier president Louis Nicollin has dismissed reports he has a €10m buyout clause - and even if he did, competition for his signature would drive the price up).
Who (reportedly) wants him? Arsenal, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Marseille, Valencia, Malaga, Villarreal
Where's he most likely to go? Arsenal

6. Younes Belhanda, 22, Montpellier midfielder

Nicollin says the Moroccan international is better than Hazard and has "two Ben Arfas and three Nasris in each leg". He is exaggerating. But not that much. Belhanda combines Nasri's ability to jink in to space and drive the team forward with Ben Arfa's technical prowess and is enjoying his first consistent season at the top level.



Strengths: Vision and passing
Weakness: Does not always choose the right option but has made giant strides this season.
Best position: As a number 10 behind the striker
Valuation: €18m
Who (reportedly) wants him? Internazionale, Arsenal, PSG, Lyon, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund
Where's he most likely to go? PSG

7. André Ayew, 22, Marseille winger

It says much about the Ghanaian's dedication that he turned down the chance to have a shoulder operation earlier this year in order to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations and then help Marseille's quest for silverware. His shoulder pops out on a regular basis and needs to be painfully jerked back in place, yet Ayew just grits his teeth and gets on with it. Thanks to his father (Abedi Pelé) and brother (Jordan), André has a strong attachment to Marseille - the fans must hope that is enough.



Strengths: His attitude is superb, his work rate exemplary. Ayew is athletic and has the ability to score important goals, often with headers.
Weakness: He has a powerful left foot but his shooting can let him down. \
Best position: On the left of a midfield three, driving forward. But often used on the wing.
Valuation: €16m
Who (reportedly) wants him? Internazionale, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sunderland, Anzhi
Makhachkala
Where's he most likely to go? Nowhere

8. Marvin Martin, 24, Sochaux midfielder

Sochaux's recent resurgence has coincided with an upturn in Martin's form. Like his club, the France midfielder has not had an easy season. He has been criticised for failing to exert enough influence. Yet the technically assured Martin, who contributed 17 assists last season as Sochaux finished fifth, raises his game when surrounded by better players. His sparkling performances with Les Bleus have shown that.



Strengths: Ability to pass quickly. Balance. Vision. Dead-ball delivery. Unselfish attitude.
Weakness: Not especially strong in the tackle
Best position: Central playmaker behind two forwards. He has also played well for France as part of a three-man midfield.
Valuation: €14m
Who (reportedly) wants him? Arsenal, Marseille, Bordeaux, Fiorentina
Where's he most likely to go? Marseille

9. Mathieu Debuchy, 26, Lille right-back

Some people are surprised to hear that Europe's top clubs are eyeing the tenacious full back. I'm only surprised Debuchy was not targeted sooner. He was brilliant in Lille's double season, providing energy, thrust and bags of determination on the right flank. The Lille youth product, who has played more than 200 league games, also shone on his full international debut against Germany last month, setting up both France's goals.



Strengths: His tireless engine, link-up play going forward and superb crossing
Weakness: Occasionally gets caught out of position
Valuation: €10m
Who (reportedly) wants him? Bayern Munich, Valencia, Manchester United
Where's he most likely to go? Valencia

10. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, 22, Montpellier centre-back

Despite his young age, the athletic defender from the Central African Republic has already played 160 league games and is club captain. Phenomenal in a one-on-one situation, strikers never get the better of the pacy and highly competitive stopper. Montpellier will be hoping the possibility of leading the club in to the Champions League next season will be enough to keep him on board.



Strengths: Strong in the air. Fierce in the tackle. Anticipates well.
Weakness: Still prone to lapses in concentration
Valuation: €8m
Who (reportedly) wants him? Lyon, Newcastle, Arsenal, Bayern Munich
Where's he most likely to go? Newcastle

GoonerJay29 wrote:Supposedly wanted by Arsenal:

Eden Hazard
Yann M'Vila
Loic Remy
Olivier Giroud
Younes Belhanda
Andre Ayew
Marvin Martin
Mapou Yabga-Mbiwa

And none of them will be arriving this summer.

You could actually make a semi-decent team out of those players.

GoonerJay29 wrote:They are indeed class players but Wenger is happy with his midfielders. We'll be going with Song, Coquelin, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere and Diaby next season. So you can rule out M'Vila, Martin, Belhanda and Hazard.

Similar situation up top, too. Podolski coming in would be enough, although it's a different story if van Persie leaves. If he does, there might be room for an Ayew or Giroud. Defensively we're fine.

I've seen the Del Piero to Arsenal rumours, but I've seen many sources claim that there is no interest from Arsenal. Would be something of a strange signing if it ever did happen.

DeviAngel wrote:

Btw rumors keep and keep talking that ADP is close to Arsenal

GoonerJay29 wrote:They are indeed class players but Wenger is happy with his midfielders. We'll be going with Song, Coquelin, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere and Diaby next season. So you can rule out M'Vila, Martin, Belhanda and Hazard.

Mr Nick09 wrote:

DeviAngel wrote:

Btw rumors keep and keep talking that ADP is close to Arsenal

or tuttosport is printing the same article over and over with new words

GoonerJay29 wrote:Supposedly wanted by Arsenal:

Eden Hazard
Yann M'Vila
Loic Remy
Olivier Giroud
Younes Belhanda
Andre Ayew
Marvin Martin
Mapou Yabga-Mbiwa

And none of them will be arriving this summer.

You could actually make a semi-decent team out of those players.