PSG to complete deal for INFAMOUS Premier League star

Robin Bairner

• 21 Mar 2025 13:30 CDT
• 4 min read

News

PSG are set to complete a €10 million transfer for one of the most notorious players in Premier League history.

Renato Sanches burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old during Euro 2016, so when he hooked up with Swansea City 12 months later on a loan deal from Bayern Munich, there were big hopes that the Portugal international could shine in England’s top flight.

Current ETV

Renato Sanches 

M (C)

Benfica

Renato Sanches 

M (C)

Benfica

€3.9M

ETV Range

€3.2M - €4.7M

View full profile

Instead, the young central midfielder bombed horribly, becoming known for passing a ball to an advertising board instead of a team-mate.

He subsequently reignited his career with Lille but lost his way again following a move to PSG in the summer of 2022. Following one unsuccessful season at Parc des Princes, he joined first Roma and then Benfica on loan.

Now the Portuguese club, where he made his professional breakthrough, are ready to complete a €10m move for the 27-year-old, despite injuries restricting him to just 366 minutes of action this season.

Renato Sanches: A nightmare Premier League spell

Sanches’ enduring image in the Premier League, meanwhile, is one of disappointment and unfulfilled potential.

From his debut against Newcastle United, he was criticised.

“One of the mistakes Swansea manager Paul Clement made today which he would not have foreseen was the performance of Renato Sanches because he was really off the pace,” Sky Sports pundit Alan Pardew said.

“That will probably be a decision he looks back on and thinks: 'Perhaps I should have left him out.’

“He took too many touches. I'm not doubting he's a fantastic player but sometimes when you are a manager and bring in a big name, it's about getting the timing right.”

By the end of the season, new Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal tried to be diplomatic about the player.

He said: “Renato knows he has had a very bad season. He is not at the level he was and when he had the injury in January, it finished him. Renato has a big talent, but he has much to learn. He stopped learning when he left Benfica and went to one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

And Sanches enraged fans when he announced the release of his personal emojis shortly after a crucial loss to Southampton.

One supporter attacked him on social media, stating: “You're a total waste of time mate. Posting this s**** first thing today after what happened last night. Any chance you can leave Swansea before the game on Sunday??”

At 27, Sanches can resurrect his career once again at Benfica, but time is running out for one of the Premier League’s most infamous flops.