Paris St Germain were at the centre of the two biggest stories in France's close-season transfer market with midfielder Ronaldinho's move to Barcelona and striker Pauleta's arrival in the capital.

Ronaldiho poses with Barca's new president La Porta and his No.10 Jersey. [Reuters]

Ronaldinho was signed by the Spanish club for 30 million euros ($34.53 million) after a bidding war between some of the richest clubs in the world, including Manchester United.

The departure of the Brazilian midfielder, who had fallen out with former PSG coach Luis Fernandez, should bring back a more serene atmosphere to a squad plagued by personal feuds last season.

Fernandez's replacement Vahid Halilodzic, who joined from Stade Rennes, achieved one of his pre-season goals when he secured the transfer of Portugal international Pauleta from Girondins Bordeaux for around 12 million euros.

The 30-year-old striker scored 65 times in his three seasons at Bordeaux and Halilodzic said he would be relying on his goals to help PSG secure a place in Europe this coming season.

Halilodzic's other main target was Swiss international Hakan Yakin, but despite making a offer to Basel for their midfielder a deal has yet to be struck.

Olympique Marseille, bidding for a first title since 1992 - they were stripped of the award in 1993 - made a move to strengthen the centre of their defence with the signing of former France international Philippe Christanval from Barcelona.

Pauleta celebrates his gaol in 2004 World Cup

The sweeper needed a fresh start after playing a bit-part role during his two years in Spain following his $14 million move from Monaco. He will partner Belgian libero Daniel Van Buyten.

Marseille coach Alain Perrin also improved his team's resources up front with the acquisition of En Avant Guingamp's Didier Drogba, whose 16 goals last season made him the league's third-highest goalscorer.

Perrin also signed Czech international striker Stepan Vachousek, who scored eight goals for Slavia Prague last season.

ACCENT ON YOUTH

For Champions Olympique Lyon, the accent was on youth in their summer dealings.

Ghanaian midfielder Mickael Essien, 20, joined from Bastia, 23-year-old fullback Anthony Reveillere arrived from Stade Rennes via a loan period at Valencia, while Guyana-born midfielder Florent Malouda, also 23, was another player joining the exodus from Guingamp.

But Lyon will be without their influential former captain, Brazilian Sonny Anderson, who has moved to Spanish club Villareal on a free transfer.

AJ Auxerre coach Guy Roux has somehow managed to keep his talented squad intact, despite the stated desire of many of his young players to leave the club.

Internationals Jean-Alain Boumsong, Philippe Mexes and Djibril Cisse have all said they want to try pastures new, but so far only midfielder Khalilou Fadiga has bid farewell to the Burgundy side, to join Italian club Inter Milan.

Roux, usually careful with his money, has bought just one player -- 25-year-old winger Bonaventure Kalou from Dutch club Feyenoord.

Monaco, who narrowly escaped relegation to second division on financial grounds after finishing second last season, kept a low profile on the transfer market with only one significant move -- Mexican defender Rafael Marquez leaving for Barcelona.

Coach Didier Deschamps will have to make do with the squad who finished a point behind Lyon last season as they chase a first title since 2000 and test their mettle among Europe's elite in the Champions League.

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