Paris Saint-Germain are desperate to keep Samuel Essende but English duo Brighton and Hove Albion and Norwich City are allegedly keen.
The problem with being able to buy any footballer in the world game, if that can be considered a problem, is that it tends to block the route to the first-team for a club’s most talented youngsters.
Since Qatari Sports Investment began their PSG project, the reigning Ligue 1 champions have seen Kingsley Coman, Jean-Kevin Augustien and Jonathan Ikone leave while the 18-year-old prodigy Yacine Adli has been heavily tipped to find a new club, too.
It is understood that PSG are desperate to tie down the academy prospect to professional terms. Essende has so far opted against committing his future to Les Parisiens and is weighing up his options with clubs in England, namely Brighton and Norwich City, interested.
The right-footed Frenchman scored four goals in nine UEFA Youth League games last season and PSG are planning to hold farther talks, such is their desire to keep him.
But with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani all in Thomas Tuchel’s attack, it goes without saying that Essende would probably get more chances elsewhere.
Goal claims that Brighton have the financial muscle to see off competition from the likes of Anderlecht and Genoa. But Norwich are in the mix, too, although Championship football may be something of a harder sell.
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