Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly agreed to sign Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches from Lille in a deal worth €15m (£12.5m).
The former Bayern Munich starlet - who endured a forgettable loan spell at Swansea City in the 2017-18 season - reignited his career at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy under Christophe Galtier.
Sanches featured prominently for Lille during their triumphant 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign, starting 14 games in the top flight and making 23 league appearances in total.
Last season, the 24-year-old recorded two goals and five assists in 32 games for Les Dogues across all competitions, but he was struck down by injuries for portions of the season.
Sanches is now in the final year of his contract with Lille, leading to the expectation that he will be sold this summer before walking away on a free transfer in 2023.
© Reuters
Arsenal and AC Milan were previously tipped to do battle to sign Sanches, but the arrival of Galtier at the Parc des Princes has seen PSG jump to the head of the queue.
According to L'Equipe, PSG have now made a breakthrough in talks with Lille and will pay Les Dogues a total of €15m (£12.5m) for the Portugal international.
Les Parisiens were supposedly hoping to strike a loan deal for Sanches with an obligation to buy in 2023, but Lille were holding out for a permanent transfer in the current window.
AC Milan therefore tried to take advantage and are understood to have agreed a €16m (£13.4m) fee with Lille, but Sanches was favouring a move to the Parc des Princes.
Personal terms are already thought to be in place, and Sanches prepares to leave Lille after scoring six goals and setting up 10 more in 90 appearances since 2019.
© Reuters
The ex-Benfica starlet would become PSG's fourth arrival of the summer transfer window, following Vitinha, Hugo Ekitike and Nordi Mukiele to the club under Galtier and former Lille sporting director Luis Campos.
Sanches's arrival would likely open the door for Georginio Wijnaldum and Idrissa Gueye to leave the club, with the former set to join Roma on loan while Gueye closes in on a return to Everton.
Leandro Paredes is also being tipped to sign for Juventus after Paul Pogba suffered a serious knee injury, but there has been little movement on that front as PSG hold out for a reported fee of €25m (£21m).
Galtier's side have already won the Trophee des Champions this season by beating Coupe de France winners Nantes 4-0, and their Ligue 1 title defence will begin against Clermont Foot on Saturday night.
