Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot has confirmed that highly-rated striker Hugo Ekitike is on the verge of signing for Paris Saint-Germain.
The 20-year-old endured a frustrating period with injuries during the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season but impressed with 10 goals and four assists in 24 top-flight outings.
Newcastle United have long been linked with a move for the 6ft 3in striker, but Caillot has now revealed that PSG have won the race to sign him for a lower fee.
"Paris Saint-Germain have not offered same figures as Newcastle, but we're happy to let Hugo fulfil his dream. He's always been respectful with the club," Caillot told l'Union.
Ekitike has already arrived in Paris for his PSG medical and is expected to cost the Ligue 1 champions as much as €35m (£29.8m).
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Back in England, Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen is now on the way out of the Etihad after seeing Stefan Ortega come in to act as Ederson's backup.
USA international Steffen played second fiddle to Ederson throughout the 2021-22 season and is now pining for regular game time ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
According to journalist Paul Tenorio, Steffen is now on the verge of signing for Middlesbrough and has arrived to undergo his medical with the Championship club.
The 27-year-old's move to the Riverside would see him end a three-year spell at Man City, during which he kept eight clean sheets in 21 appearances across all competitions.
However, Steffen only made two Premier League appearances for Pep Guardiola's side and also played the same number of games in the Champions League.
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From the blue to the red side of Manchester, 19-year-old Hannibal Mejbri is aiming to make a name for himself under Erik ten Hag during Manchester United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.
The Tunisia international featured twice in the Premier League under Ralf Rangnick last term, one of which saw him come off the bench in a physical display against Liverpool.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Mejbri's first-team opportunities will likely be limited next term, and as a result he could be sent out on loan for the 2022-23 season.
The report claims that teams have already touched base with Man United to register their interest in the playmaker, who cost the Red Devils £9m to sign from Monaco in 2019.
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Finally, the ever-entertaining career of Mario Balotelli could be about to take another twist just one year after he arrived in Turkey to sign for Adana Demirspor from Monza.
The 31-year-old was in prolific form in the Super Lig last term with 18 goals and four assists in 31 appearances, as he finished second in the Golden Boot race behind Umut Bozok.
Balotelli is under contract with Adana Demirspor until 2024, but Sion President Christian Constantin has confirmed that there have been talks over a summer transfer.
"Today it is impossible for me to make a forecast about the chances of success of the transfer," Constantin told Blick. "We wanted to remain discreet, but the information apparently leaked in Italy. This is a signal that there is interest on both sides."
Sevilla have also been credited with an interest in Balotelli, who has won the Premier League, Champions League and three Serie A titles during his career.
Ben Knapton
