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Official: Renato Sanches, PSG’s fourth signing

The Portuguese midfielder lands in the French capital for 15 million euros and is the club’s fourth signing after Ekitike, Vitinha and Mukiele.

ParísUpdate:
Lille's Renato Sanches reacts after scoring a penalty during the French League One soccer match between Lille and Montpellier at the Lille Metropole stadium, in Villeneuve d'Ascq, northern France, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler
Michel SpinglerAP

Renato Sanches is PSG’s fourth signing of the transfer window. The Ligue 1 champions announced the signing of the 24-year-old midfielder on Thursday. Sanches has signed a five-year deal in a transfer which cost 15 million euros. PSG’s Football Advisor Luis Campos had initially wanted a loan deal with a purchase option, but a combination of hard bargaining by Lille and interest in the player from AC Milan’s interest forced the French club to accept a direct transfer. Sanches underwent a medical in Paris on Wednesday before signing his contract with the club.

Sanches, who is PSG’s fourth signing of the summer after Vítor Vitinha, Hugo Ekitike and Nordi Mukiele, was a priority for Luis Campos to strengthen the midfield. The Portugal international signed for Lille from Bayern Munich in August 2019 when he was in the worst moment of his career. But there, under the guidance of the Parisians’ new sports adviser, he regained his best level and was part of the team that won Ligue 1 in 2021 being a key player.

Renato Sanches’ arrival in Paris could mean the definitive departure of Leandro Paredes, who wants to build up regular playing time ahead of this winter’s World Cup and for whom Juventus has been interested. Sanches’ adaptability to different systems, capable of playing in any of the midfield positions, or out on the wing, has been another of the reasons why Luis Campos wanted to sign him. If the injuries respect him, PSG will have made one of the best signings so far in the transfer market.

Renato Sanches joins coming off the best season of his career. Counting his total actions (offensive, defensive and game construction) he contributed an average of one goal every 264 minutes. He was also the player who, for 90 minutes, had the most impact on Lille’s game, where he also stood out in the construction of attacking moves with his his passing and one-one-one duels. And his market value, according to Olocip, is 24.6 million. PSG bought him for 15 million one year after the end of his contract with Lille.