L'Equipe: Toulouse Sold Three Players to the Premier League This Summer, a Rare Feat Among Ligue 1 Clubs

With the departures of Emerson, Metali and Gboho, Toulouse became one of the few clubs among Europe's top five leagues, excluding English clubs, to sell three players to the Premier League this summer. Strasbourg, meanwhile, has a close relationship with Chelsea.

With the departures of Emerson, Metali and Gboho, Toulouse became one of the few clubs among Europe's top five leagues, excluding English clubs, to sell three players to the Premier League this summer.

Strasbourg, meanwhile, has a close relationship with Chelsea. Gboho joined Coventry on Friday for €12 million plus €3 million in add-ons, marking the end of Toulouse's active summer transfer window, and the move was somewhat unusual.

Including Emerson's move to Ipswich for €28 million plus €4 million in add-ons and Metali's transfer to Sunderland for more than €28 million plus €2 million to €5 million in add-ons, Toulouse have sold three players to the Premier League this summer, a rare occurrence among Ligue 1 clubs.

Although Paris Saint-Germain eventually allowed Barcola to join Liverpool and Mbaye to join Aston Villa, the only club to complete at least as many Premier League deals this summer was Strasbourg.

However, Strasbourg's situation is somewhat special because of its close relationship with Chelsea, as the two clubs share the same major shareholder, BlueCo. In addition to Enso and Oduwara joining Ipswich, Strasbourg also sold Valentin Barco to Chelsea for €40 million, while the two clubs have also had multiple loan deals between them. Toulouse sporting director Victor Bezzani believes his club was indeed the team that completed the most deals with powerful Premier League clubs this summer. After Gboho's transfer was completed, the former scout, who previously worked at Brentford, Watford and Leicester City, said he was "proud" of the team's ability to stand out in this complex market.