Ligue 1 Daily Report - 2026-06-13

Folarin Balogun delivered the standout Ligue 1-linked performance of the day, scoring twice as the United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in their World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium. The Monaco forward struck in the first half to help the hosts race into a 3-0 lead before halftime, underlining why he has become a central figure for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

The 24-year-old's display adds more weight to his growing status after a strong season in Ligue 1 with Monaco, where his pace and finishing have translated onto the international stage. For Monaco, it is another reminder that Balogun's form can shape both club value and the wider perception of Ligue 1 talent abroad.

Auxerre have turned to Will Still to lead them into their next Ligue 1 campaign, handing the 33-year-old a contract until 2028 with an additional year in option. The move ends Christophe Pélissier's spell in charge a year before the end of his deal, despite him keeping the club in the division.

Still arrives with a rising reputation in French football after coaching at Reims and then building his profile as one of the most closely watched young managers in the league. Auxerre's decision is a clear statement of ambition as they try to stabilise and push on after survival.

Barcelona are finalising a permanent €11 million sale of Ansu Fati to AS Monaco, with a buy-back option included in the agreement. The 22-year-old forward spent last season on loan at Monaco after a previous loan at Brighton failed to revive his Barcelona career, and the move now looks set to end a 14-year association with the Catalan club.

For Monaco, the deal offers a low-risk chance to add a player once viewed as one of Europe's elite prospects, while Barcelona protect upside through the buy-back clause. It is one of the more notable Ligue 1 transfer stories on June 13 because it ties a former Barcelona talent directly to Monaco's squad-building strategy.

Crystal Palace are closing in on Lens manager Pierre Sage, with reports saying the 47-year-old is the preferred choice for the Selhurst Park job. Sage has spent only 12 months in charge of Lens, yet that short spell has already produced a second-place Ligue 1 finish and the club's first Coupe de France triumph in their 120-year history.

His rapid rise matters to Ligue 1 because it reflects the league's growing reputation as a proving ground for ambitious coaches. Losing a manager after such a breakthrough would be another sign that top French clubs can develop talent on the touchline as well as on the pitch.

Reports in Singapore say Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in has reached a personal agreement with Atletico Madrid as he prepares to leave PSG after two seasons. The 25-year-old has struggled for a consistent role under Luis Enrique, which has accelerated talk of a summer move away from Ligue 1.

The story matters because Lee remains one of PSG's most marketable Asian talents, and any exit would be another example of the club reshaping its squad around players who can offer more regular impact. With transfer talks already circulating during the World Cup, this is one of the clearest Ligue 1-related market developments on June 13.

A separate profile on Folarin Balogun highlighted how the Monaco striker has become one of the most recognisable American players in Europe, with his profile boosted by performances for both AS Monaco and the United States. The article stresses that his high-profile switch from Arsenal has lifted his commercial appeal as well as his on-field reputation.

Another report noted that Balogun scored 19 goals for Monaco in Ligue 1, a return that explains why his World Cup brace against Paraguay drew so much attention. For Monaco, those numbers reinforce why the striker is now central to both sporting ambition and market value.