Emmanuel Mbemba, an 18-year-old defender, will leave Paris Saint-Germain to join Paris FC, according to L’Équipe. The move comes as a surprise given Mbemba’s status as a promising talent within the PSG youth system, where he recently captained the team to victory in the Coupe Gambardella on May 22nd against Montpellier. He will not be signing a professional contract with PSG.
Mbemba, who can play as either a central defender or left-back, has represented France at the under-16 and under-17 levels, reaching the final of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship last year. Interest in the player extended beyond Ligue 1, with reports suggesting clubs such as Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen had also been monitoring his progress. Despite this external interest, Mbemba has opted to continue his development with Paris FC.
The transfer is expected to be completed swiftly, with Mbemba scheduled to undergo a medical examination with the PFC on Wednesday, alongside Italian defender Diego Coppola. Should the medical prove successful, Mbemba will sign a four-year contract with Paris FC, securing his future with the club. This represents a significant investment for Paris FC, who are clearly aiming to bolster their squad with promising young players.
PSG, meanwhile, will continue their pre-season preparations, having resumed training earlier this week. They are scheduled to play their first friendly match of the summer against Stade de Reims on Saturday. The departure of Mbemba highlights the challenges faced by top clubs in retaining all of their brightest prospects, particularly when opportunities for regular first-team football are limited. The move provides Mbemba with a clear pathway to professional football and the chance to develop his career in a competitive environment.
Paris FC also reportedly made a €23 million offer for Abline, though that transfer is separate from the Mbemba deal.
