The 2023/24 French Ligue 1 season is set to begin this weekend, with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) being the frontrunners for another title, despite the departure of Lionel Messi and the uncertain status of Kylian Mbappe's future. Here are five noteworthy new signings to keep an eye on during the upcoming campaign:

GONCALO RAMOS (Paris Saint-Germain)

In the wake of Messi's departure and the potential exit of Mbappe, PSG aimed to bolster their attacking prowess. Goncalo Ramos, a 22-year-old striker, might fit the bill perfectly. His impressive record of 19 goals during Benfica's Portuguese title-winning season and his contribution to their Champions League quarter-final run caught attention. Ramos also made a name for himself with a hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland in the World Cup. While he has already demonstrated his potential, there's room for further growth. He joined PSG on a loan deal, with the option to make the transfer permanent for a fee that could reach 80 million euros ($88 million).

LUCAS HERNANDEZ (Paris Saint-Germain)

Addressing their defensive weaknesses from the previous season, PSG secured Inter Milan's centre-back Milan Skriniar and Lucas Hernandez from Bayern Munich. Hernandez, a versatile 27-year-old, can play both in central defence and left-back positions. However, concerns exist about his injury history, having missed the latter part of the previous season due to a ruptured ACL in his right knee sustained during the World Cup.

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Marseille)

Marseille made a surprising move by signing former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, following unsuccessful attempts to retain Alexis Sanchez. Despite Aubameyang's age of 34 and a modest performance at Chelsea last season, his pace, goal-scoring prowess, and experience could prove valuable for Marseille. The three-year deal comes with the hope that he can recapture his form showcased earlier in his career with Saint-Etienne, Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal.

LUDOVIC BLAS (Rennes)

Ludovic Blas, a standout player in Nantes' French Cup-winning team, transitioned to Rennes after a successful Europa League campaign. The 25-year-old creative midfielder possesses both speed and a goal-scoring instinct. While many expected him to move abroad, Blas surprised by joining Rennes in a four-year deal worth 15 million euros. With Rennes aiming for Champions League qualification, Blas aspires to enhance his chances of earning a spot in the French national team.

SAMUEL UMTITI (Lille)

Another addition to Ligue 1 is Samuel Umtiti, who was part of France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad. Umtiti's career was hampered by a knee injury, affecting his time at Barcelona. However, he regained fitness during a loan spell at Lecce in Italy. After parting ways with Barcelona, Umtiti returned to France, signing a two-year contract with Lille. At 29, his experience will be valuable for a team that lost its 39-year-old defensive pillar, Jose Fonte.

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