French football giant Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) confirmed a major signing as the transfer window closed, securing Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt in a €95 million ($103 million) deal. The confirmation came just 30 minutes after the transfer window’s midnight closure.
Randal Kolo Muani expressed his excitement about returning to his roots, having grown up in the suburbs of Paris. He stated, “It’s great to be back where it all began. I was attracted by the club’s project. Now I can’t wait to get to work and finally play in these colors.”
The agreement between PSG and Eintracht was reportedly reached earlier in the day, but the deal faced a temporary freeze due to PSG forward Hugo Ekitiké rejecting three offers to join Eintracht as part of the deal.
Kolo Muani will bolster PSG’s attack, joining forces with World Cup star Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, both of whom represented France at the last World Cup, as well as under-21 winger Bradley Barcola.
This acquisition is a significant boost for PSG’s new coach, Luis Enrique, who faced the departure of key players, including Lionel Messi to Inter Miami and Neymar to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, in addition to several players being sent out on loan, including Juan Bernat to Benfica.
Kolo Muani, who shares his hometown with Mbappé, refused to train with Eintracht as he pushed for a transfer. He made a notable impact when coming on as a substitute during the World Cup final in December, contributing to a 3-3 draw against Argentina before France lost on penalties.
PSG has started the season quietly, amassing five points from three games and scoring just four goals. Three of those goals have been netted by Mbappé, emphasizing the team’s reliance on him.
The total spending across the French league this summer amounted to €901 million ($973 million), while clubs generated €868 million ($937 million) from player sales. Compared to the previous season, when top-flight clubs made a marginal profit, these figures represent a substantial investment in talent. Last season, clubs spent €584 million ($631 million) and earned €603 million ($651 million) from player transfers.
Several other clubs in Ligue 1 made significant signings during the transfer window to strengthen their squads, including Marseille, Monaco, and Lens. Additionally, veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel mutually terminated his contract with Nice after one season, while former England striker Andy Carroll joined second-tier Amiens on a two-year deal, marking an unexpected move.
These transfers and acquisitions are set to reshape the landscape of French football for the upcoming season, promising an exciting and competitive campaign for fans and enthusiasts alike.
