Charles De Ketelaere, the 25-year-old Atalanta (contract running until 2028) and Belgium forward, has been cited as a potential target for Paris Saint-Germain for the 2026 summer transfer window. RMC Sport confirmed this lead on Wednesday in an update on PSG’s attacking targets. The list also includes Ferran Torres (26, FC Barcelona and Spain) and an as-yet-unknown name, while the pursuit of Eli Junior Kroupi (20, Bournemouth) appears to be off the table.
“PSG’s management reportedly has alternatives, starting with Charles De Ketelaere.”
The versatile Ferran Torres (26) is the Parisians’ preferred option to replace Ramos; his versatility also allows him to play out wide. Negotiations with FC Barcelona have not truly begun. The capital club is mindful that the market value of players who shone at the World Cup skyrocketed in the week following Spain’s triumph—a category that certainly includes Torres.
Should the pursuit of the Spanish forward stall, PSG’s management reportedly has alternatives, starting with Charles De Ketelaere. Whether in Serie A or the Champions League, the 25-year-old Belgian forward impressed with Atalanta Bergamo last season (5 goals and 7 assists across all competitions). A third name, which has not yet leaked to the press, completes the list of targets.
“A player will only be signed if he meets all sporting and financial criteria.”
What about Eli Junior Kroupi, whose name frequently appears in the media? While Paris has not expressed interest for this summer—at least not for the time being—Bournemouth has no desire to sell the player anyway. The former Lorient man, for his part, is interested in the Parisian project. Sources close to the club also explain that Paris will not sign players simply for the sake of signing them; in other words, a player will only be brought in if he meets all the necessary sporting and financial criteria.
It all sounds plausible, but nothing is certain without concrete details. We are remaining very cautious, as a lot can still happen—especially when a media outlet mentions a target without revealing a name, which opens the door to numerous possibilities. We don’t really know which negotiations are progressing and which aren’t, so we will wait to learn more.
We can safely assume that PSG is hard at work and well-prepared, even though some try to suggest the management is only just springing into action and flying blind. It is important not to confuse rumors with the actual situation. Knowing Paris and Luis Campos, anything can materialize at the last minute. De Ketelaere is a potential option; we shall see if it comes to fruition.
