Official: PSG complete €70m transfer
Paris Saint-Germain have already begun their transfer business for 2024 after taking up their option to turn Goncalo Ramos’ loan from Benfica into a permanent move.
Ramos joined PSG during the summer and has made 15 appearances in all competitions but, despite only scoring twice so far, the French side have opted to tie the 22-year-old to a five-year contract.
The total cost of the transfer nets Benfica €65 million up front with an additional €15m in add-ons, although PSG are believed to have already paid €20m as an initial loan fee during the summer.
PSG beat the likes of Manchester United to the signing of Ramos in the summer after his breakout season for Benfica last year, where he scored 19 goals in 30 games, as well as grabbing a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup.
Ramos has only started eight times this season and has often shared his minutes up front with fellow summer signing Randal Kolo Muani as well as Kylian Mbappe.
Although the Portuguese international has yet to fulfil his goalscoring potential in France, Ramos has been praised for his work rate and pressure on the defence, which has allowed Mbappe to net 13 times in 11 Ligue 1 games this season.
Paris Saint-Germain are pleased to announce that it has exercised the option to purchase Gonçalo Ramos. The Portuguese striker is now contracted to the club until 2028. pic.twitter.com/kO6Ub9LfOC
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 22, 2023
Mbappe future still unclear after surrendering bonuses
The signing of Ramos perhaps indicates that PSG are considering life after Mbappe, with the 24-year-old set to enter the final six months of his contract at the club
Mbappe will be allowed to freely negotiate with teams over a pre-contract agreement in January and the French captain could finally secure is long-awaited transfer to Real Madrid next year.
PSG have still been hoping to tie their talismanic forward to a new contract but no resolution is in sight over Mbappe’s future, with the player having given up €80m in loyalty bonuses after refusing to take up the one-year option to extend his deal.
Mbappe was exiled in the summer after his announcing his intention to see out his contract but he was eventually reintegrated into the team after giving up his bonuses, with PSG set to make a significant loss on their star man if he does leave on a free next summer.