MY ACCOUNT
Paris Saint-Germain are poised to complete the signing of Renato Sanches, with coach Christophe Galtier hailing the “explosive qualities” of the Lille midfielder.
Speaking in a news conference on Thursday, Galtier said Sanches would give him fresh options in midfield, believing the 24-year-old Portugal international will bring added dynamism.
Italian champions Milan were also keen on Sanches, but a deal with PSG appears to be all but over the line.
It will mean the former Benfica, Bayern Munich and Swansea City player comes in as PSG look set to offload Georginio Wijnaldum to Roma and Idrissa Gueye to Everton.
Head coach Galtier said: “Renato Sanches is a player with qualities that others do not have, particularly if I compare him with Marco Verratti and Vitinha. He is an explosive player who makes a difference on the pitch with his runs.”
Galtier said PSG were pleased to have observed the availability of Sanches and “taken that opportunity” to go in for him. The PSG boss worked with Sanches at Lille previously, collaborating in the club’s 2020-21 title-winning season.
“He is arriving quite late on. I don’t think he has played much in his preparation games because he was expecting to move clubs, so he will be a bit behind the others,” Galtier said.
“He is a completely different player in terms of his explosive qualities and his ability to break the lines in the midfield, and he can also make a big impact defensively.”
Reigning French champions PSG travel to face Clermont in their Ligue 1 opener on Saturday, as they begin their pursuit of what would be a record 11th Ligue 1 title.
