Paris Saint-Germain surpassed Liverpool to win 20-year-old striker

According to Goal, PSG are set to sign Ekittick on loan from Ligue 1 rivals Lance for the 2022-23 season. They will spend $29 million on permanent purchases from summer 2023, not to mention a $7 million surcharge. Ekitike will then sign a five-year contract with PSG.

Ekittick has been one of the focal points in the French transfer market this summer. A number of Premier League sides have expressed interest in the 20-year-old, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle.

"My heart chose Paris! I am French and that is the club from my country. It is also the place where the greatest players, the quality, the experienced staff and the desire to win the title. Every champion. There is everything I need to improve on there," Ekitike explained for choosing PSG.

Ekitike was the discovery of last season's Ligue 1. In 24 games, the 20-year-old forward scored 10 goals to help Lance avoid relegation to 12th place.

Ekittick is the first striker to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Before that, the defending Ligue 1 champions bought defender Nuno Mendes directly from Sporting Lisbon and midfielder Vitinia from Porto. In the opposite direction, Paris Saint-Germain unleashed winger Angel Di Maria.

Ekitike will compete with forwards Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Arnaud Kalimuendo for the starting spot.

PSG have just made major changes to the coaching seats. Former Mauricio Pochettino had to give way to Christophe Galtier, who won the Ligue 1 and League Cup at Saint-Etienne and Lille. Last season, it was Galtier who helped Nice beat Paris Saint-Germain in the 1/8 penalty shootout of the Nations Cup. In the subsequent final, Nice lost to Nantes 0-1.