5 Young Ligue 1 Stars Destined for Transfers

Ligue 1 has a track record of producing some of the best young talents in European football, but it often struggles to keep them in France due to the appeal of other divisions such as the Premier League and La Liga.

A new group of players are currently breaking through the ranks at a number of different teams, but those same clubs may be nervously awaiting bids for their up-and-coming stars come the end of the season.

Some players may choose to develop their careers with their current club, but there are others who look destined for moves to pastures new. Here are five of those players who are set for a change of scenery.

Younes Belhanda

Just a year ago, Montpellier were stunning everyone by beating out Paris Saint-Germain to clinch their first Ligue 1 title in their history.

Fast forward to the present date and that side is set to be dismantled, with manager Rene Girard to be replaced by former Nancy boss Jean Fernandez and a mass player exodus expected.

One of the players whose future has already been decided is attacking midfielder Younes Belhanda. Controversial club president Louis Nicollin has already confirmed that the 23-year-old will not be at the Stade de la Mosson next season, but the Moroccan's next destination has yet to be decided.

Belhanda has scored 12 goals and provided six assists in all competitions for Montpellier this season and is likely to have many suitors when the transfer window reopens.

A move to Turkey has been rumored, but with Arsenal also reportedly interested in his services, a switch to the Premier League may be a wise decision.

Wahbi Khazri

Bastia have enjoyed a superb first season back in Ligue 1, and are still in contention for a top-half finish.

However, after losing Florian Thauvin to Lille during the January window, the Corsicans are in danger of losing some of the attacking quality that has defined their impressive season.

Thauvin has been the leading light at the Stade Armand Cesari, but Tunisian international Wahbi Khazri has also produced performances of an exceptional standard this term.

The 22-year-old has scored seven goals and provided nine assists in his debut season, but with funds tight, the islanders could well be tempted to cash in while Khazri is in top form.

The midfielder has been linked with a move to Montpellier, and with the 2012 champions looking to rebuild, Khazri will hope to progress his career with the Stade de la Mosson outfit.

Sebastien Corchia

A star in a disappointing season for Sochaux, Sebastien Corchia is a player whose name is beginning to be linked with a move to the Premier League.

Les Lionceaux find themselves occupying the final relegation spot after an inconsistent campaign, but Corchia has only enhanced his reputation with excellent displays against some of France's biggest clubs.

The 22-year-old right-back hit the crossbar in the 3-2 win over PSG in February and was a constant thorn in the Parisians side with his pace and delivery from wide areas.

Corchia also scored one of the goals of the season in a 2-2 draw with Rennes, and his performances are apparently attracting interest from major European clubs.

A transfer is to be expected if Sochaux do take the plunge into Ligue 2, but even if Eric Hely's men do manage to survive, Corchia would be best advised to move on and take the next step in his progression.

Timothee Kolodziejczak

Nice are a side still pushing for a place in the Champions League, but should they fail to achieve that goal, then one of their leading lights could well be eager to move on.

Left-back Timothee Kolodziejczak has earned many plaudits in Nice's rise to the top six, but with Saint-Etienne, Lyon and Lille all involved in the battle for a place in Europe's elite competition, Claude Puel's men could yet miss out despite playing some of the best football in the division.

Kolodziejczak, who joined Nice on a free transfer from Lyon, has made 15 appearances for the France U20 side and appears to have a bright international future.

Still the defender does not have much of a profile on a worldwide scale, and with Nice moving to a new stadium which they are unlikely to fill, failure to qualify for Europe will likely force the club's hierarchy to let stars such as Kolodziejczak leave to advance their reputation while keeping their finances healthy.

Adrien Rabiot

Despite breaking into the Paris Saint-Germain first-team squad earlier in the season, Adrien Rabiot is a young gun who now appears certain to be playing his football elsewhere next season.

The midfielder has made six appearances for PSG in the league this term, but has since been loaned out to Toulouse to gain experience after failing to establish himself in a crowded midfield at the Parc Des Princes.

Rabiot netted his first goal in professional football with a wonderful long-range strike for La Tefece in a win over Brest back in March.

The 18-year-old has earned a burgeoning reputation at the Stade Municipal, but with PSG adding more and more depth to their impressive squad, it is unlikely that Rabiot will break into the setup in the capital anytime soon.

A transfer appears inevitable, but what remains to be seen is whether Toulouse will stump up the cash to purchase Rabiot permanently or whether another Ligue 1 suitor will look to add the cultured midfielder to their ranks.