As per a report from L’Équipe, it is expected that Arnault will become the majority shareholder of the club, with Red Bull looking to purchase a 15% share. Reports that Red Bull were looking to add Paris FC to their portfolio came just after it was announced that former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp would become the head of global soccer for Red Bull, starting in January 2025.

But should Red Bull purchase a minority share in Paris FC, as expected, is there a chance that Klopp would manage the Paris-based club? President Pierre Ferracci, who is expected to remain in his position post-takeover, evoked the topic during an interview with BFM Business. 

“No, he won’t be the manager. At least, not for now… unless one day we are in the Champions League,” said Ferracci. Competing in the UEFA Champions League is an objective of the club, as outlined in a press release that confirmed takeover talks. 

Paris FC president ‘admires’ Klopp

A press release from Financière Agache, a subsidiary holding company of LMVH who are owned by the Arnault family, confirmed the ambition of the prospective new owners who will look to “gradually” bring both the men’s and women’s teams into the elite of French football and to make both sides regular fixtures in the Champions League.

Given their current position at the top of Ligue 2, the Champions League seems a long way away, however, Paris FC will have considerable means, around €100-200m in resources, invested in the coming years. 

On Klopp, Ferracci added, “We are going to learn what Klopp’s role as global co-ordinator is. He is someone that I admire a lot.” Should the takeover be completed, Klopp will have a role to play at Paris FC, just not from the sidelines… at least in the short and medium term.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The press release notes that the Parisian club “will write a new chapter in its rich history with the Arnault family and Red Bull, which have also entered into negotiations for the acquisition of a minority stake.” This is largely expected after it was first revealed by L’Équipe that Arnault would look to become the majority shareholder of the club (with a 55 to 56% share) with Red Bull aiming to purchase a 15% share. 

Agache also confirms the ambitions of the prospective new owners who will look to “gradually” bring both the men’s and women’s teams into the elite of French football and to make both sides regular fixtures in the Champions League. It is expected that the Paris FC will be provided with a new budget that could see around €100 to €200 million in resources invested into the club over the next few years.

Agache further notes that current owner Pierre Ferracci will be kept on as president as the club and the city of Paris enter a new era.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The arrival of Red Bull and Arnault is set to change the face of football, not only in Paris but in France. The club currently sit top of Ligue 2 following some significant summer investments. Should they earn promotion to the top-flight, the objective won’t merely be on consolidating their place in Ligue 1, but on chasing the European places, and perhaps in time, even challenging Paris Saint-Germain’s supremacy.

In fact, PSG and Paris FC may soon become very close neighbours. According to L’Équipe, president Pierre Ferracci, who is expected to continue in the role until 2027, wants the club to leave their current stadium, Charléty. The idea is that Paris FC would then move to Stade Jean-Bouin, just a mere stone’s throw away from the Parc des Princes. 

This move is now without obstacles. They would have to negotiate with the current inhabitants, rugby side Stade Francais, whilst also replacing the synthetic pitch. “We will talk with everyone. But we need to be able to find a bit of space for Paris FC. Especially in Ligue 1, no?” said Ferracci, confident of pulling off the move. A potential future rival and also a neighbour, PSG and Paris FC look poised to get a little more closely acquainted in the coming months and years.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

For a variety of reasons, there are very few same-city rivalries in Ligue 1. As things stand, the closest geographical rivalry in France’s top flight is between OGC Nice and AS Monaco, who are separated by around 20km. However, that could be about to change. 

Paris FC invested heavily in the summer and that investment has reaped rewards on the pitch with the club currently top of Ligue 2. However, should the expected investment arrive, via Arnault and Red Bull, they can set their sights much higher than simply staving off relegation. 

LFP also welcome Paris FC takeover

The hope, it seems, will be for Paris FC to challenge at the top, and perhaps even challenge the hegemony that Paris Saint-Germain have asserted on the domestic scene in recent years. PSG’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, has welcomed the potential competition. 

“It is great news,” began the entourage of Al-Khelaifi, who has a good relationship with Arnault, in an interview with RMC Sport. “It is fantastic for Paris, fantastic for French football. It will bring some competition and healthy competition at the top level in the capital.” RMC Sport added that the LFP are also happy about Paris FC’s touted takeover.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

If the club were to be sold, Ferracci will keep 30% of his shares until 2027 when he is reportedly planning on exiting. Red Bull would be expected to take a 15% share, with the Arnault family (who own LVMH) becoming the new majority shareholder purchasing around 55 to 56% of the shares. 

The French outlet writes that the prospective owners hope to shake up the landscape of French football. The immediate plan will be to gain promotion to the top flight by the end of this season, but in the long term, the project is to make the club a staple qualifier for the Champions League. 

Paris FC could be provided with an extensive budget to achieve this aim, with L’Équipe writing that they may be provided between 100 and 200 million euros in resources. This news breaks the same day that Jürgen Klopp has been announced as the new head of football for Red Bull. 

Neither Red Bull nor the Arnault family responded to L’Équipe’s request for comment. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Kebbal attracted the interest of clubs across the channel in the summer transfer window. The 26-year-old was earmarked as a target of Leeds United during the window, but no official bid from the Yorkshire side ever arrived for the Frenchman. A potential move to West Yorkshire looks highly unlikely now with the former Reims attacking midfielder set to commit to a new contract with the French capital club. 

A double extension

Kebbal is not the only player set to sign a new contract at the Stade Charléty. Paris FC goalkeeper Obed Nkambadio will also extend his contract with Paris FC until 2027 – providing an additional boost to the Ligue 2 club after an ambitious summer transfer window. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Kanté has scored two goals in nine games for the Ligue 2 side’s U19 team. He reportedly underwent a medical this Monday. “Paris FC is delighted to be able to count on him for an additional season, which will allow the team to continue to benefit from his talent while offering him a smooth transition to his new English adventure”, added the Ligue 2 side in their statement. Paris FC will host Dunkerque this Friday for Ligue 2’s matchday 2.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Kebbal came through the ranks at Stade de Reims but then sturggled to consolidate a place in the first team set-up. He spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Ligue 2 side Paris FC before making the deal permanent for €2m the following summer. The Algerian has made 71 appearances for the Ligue 2 side, netting 13 goals and 18 assists in that time. He also netted in Les Parisiens’  opening-day victory over Kylian Mbappé-owned SM Caen last weekend. 

His consistency in France’s second division has caught the eye of Leeds United and Burnley, according to Foot Mercato. The French publication understands that both clubs have made enquiries to Kebbal’s entourage and could, in the coming days, make contact with Paris FC in order to advance the deal. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Named Player of the Year in 2023 after a tremendous season with Saint-Etienne in which he netted 17 goals and delivered 12 assists, Krasso decided to leave Les Verts on a free transfer following his contract expiry in order to join Red Star Belgrade and seize the opportunity to play European football. However, the Ivorian striker failed to convince his head coach to consider him more than a backup option despite solid performances, scoring seven goals in 36 games across all competitions, scoring nine goals, and assisting four. The Serbian club, in a financial turmoil, accepted his request to be allowed to leave this summer. 

A fee above €1M

There enters Paris FC. After missing promotion in Ligue 1 by being defeated in the first round of the playoffs by Rodez, the Parisian side has high ambitions for the upcoming season. Despite having contacts with Ligue 1 clubs, Krasso has been convinced by Stéphane Gilli’s project. According to Le Parisien, the transfer fee sits above €1M, a considerable amount for a Ligue 2 outfit considering the broadcasting rights uncertainty. Paris FC, who recently announced the signing of last season’s revelation Mathys Tourraine from Grenoble, have sent a massive statement to their rivals by signing the Ivorian international. 

GFFN l Grégoire Devaux

Kiwa and Dembaga to join Monaco’s Groupe Élite

Whilst Les Monégasques look to bolster their first team ahead of their return to the UEFA Champions League next season, the club are also looking to the future and brought in two promising young prospects on Friday. Defensive midfielder Dembaga arrives from Paris FC and will integrate the Principality club’s Groupe Élite side, now managed by former Liverpool player Djimi Traoré. 

Central defender Kiwa also arrived at the club on Friday, signing from RC Strasbourg Alsace. Like Dembaga, he will join up with the Groupe Élite. Both players have signed trainee contracts with the Principality club and will be hoping to do what so many before them have done by making the jump from the academy to the first team. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Photo credit: AS Monaco