Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain have now officially announced the signing of Manchester United and Arsenal target Goncalo Guedes for a transfer fee of £21million.
Guedes has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the French club and Benfica would pocket an £6m if the striker leaves the Ligue 1 club in future.
This is PSG’s second big signing after already landing Julian Draxler from Wolfsburg in the January transfer window.
Both Manchester United and Arsenal had earlier identified Guedes as a transfer potential target and monitored his performance for more than a year.
The Portuguese youngster who turned 20 in November, proved his mettle in the youth circuit and gradually rose through the ranks to seal a place in the Benfica first-team. The rising star has been touted as the next ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ and he is versatile enough to play both as a winger or the main man forward.
After signing the long-term deal with the Ligue 1 giants, Guedes said: “I’m very happy to join such a big club as Paris Saint-Germain.”
“Playing here with players of a very high standard will enable me to improve. Paris always play to win trophies, so my aim is to win as many trophies as possible, and that Paris keep on winning.”
“I know my compatriot Pauleta was well loved by Paris Saint-Germain fans. I hope to do as well as he did, and one day be just as much loved as him.”
Guedes will now embark upon a new journey under PSG boss Unai Emery, after having proving his mettle at Benfica this season with 11 goals and 16 assists to his name in 68 appearnaces.
Holders PSG are now third in the Ligue 1 table after a disappointing start to their campaign under Unai Emery this season.