Only a small street, Rue Claude Farrere, separates PSG from Paris FC, a club owned by the Arnault family, France's wealthiest family, since 11/2024.

"Change is underway", Paris FC's sports director Marco Neppe told L'Equipe. The club's 11th-place finish in its inaugural season back in Ligue 1 after a 46-year absence was not satisfactory, especially with Red Bull among its shareholders.

Paris FC's new signings during the summer 2026 transfer window, including new coach Liam Rosenior. Photo: Marca

Driven by significant ambition, Paris FC has emerged as Ligue 1's top spender this summer. The capital club has invested approximately 87,5 million USD in new players, the highest in the league. Monaco follows with 52,8 million USD, and Marseille with 44 million USD, while reigning champions PSG have only spent about 1,7 million USD to sign Khalil Ayari from Stade Tunisien.

Notably, four of the eight most expensive transfers in Ligue 1 this season belong to Paris FC: Patrick Zabi from Reims for approximately 27,5 million USD, Diego Coppola from Brighton for about 19,3 million USD, Pablo Pagis from Lorient for around 16,5 million USD, and Luca Koleosho from Burnley for about 15,4 million USD.

Additionally, Paris FC spent approximately 8,8 million USD to acquire Lassine Sinayoko from Auxerre and secured Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer from PSG. Mbemba, a former captain of PSG's youth team that won the Cup Gambardella, opted to join the rival club in the same city.

Despite heavy investment, Marco Neppe cautions against inflated expectations for the team. "We cannot control external expectations", he stated. "Paris FC aims for healthy, step-by-step development according to our own direction. We do not want to underestimate ourselves, but we also do not want to overhype".

The former Bayern Munich sports director acknowledged that the club's new status sometimes leads to higher prices in the transfer market. After 10 years at Bayern, Neppe believes in Paris FC's long-term plan. "The results from the training center will not be immediately visible; it may take a few years", he said. "Paris FC wants to be an attractive club where players can mature and develop".

Winter transfer signings such as Rudy Matondo and Ciro Immobile, along with loaned players including Marshall Munetsi, Diego Coppola, and Luca Koleosho, combined with the arrival of coach Antoine Kombouare, a former PSG coach, helped Paris FC avoid relegation.

Coach Liam Rosenior (center) signs a two-year contract with Paris FC. Photo: Paris FC

For the new season, the club continued its coaching changes, placing its trust in Liam Rosenior, who previously managed Strasbourg and Chelsea. "Rosenior is the one who will take us to the next level", Neppe affirmed.

Rosenior's task is to integrate new signings and establish a distinct playing style. The English tactician also expressed his appreciation for Paris FC's project.

"It was very difficult for me to turn down an ambitious project like Paris FC. I feel a connection with the people running the club", he stated. "We aim to control as many aspects of the game as possible: ball possession, attacking transitions, defense, and intensity. Simultaneously, we want to support and develop players to execute our tactical ideas".

Founded in 1969, Paris FC merged with Stade Saint-Germain in 1970 to form PSG, but the two clubs separated after two years. Known as "Les Bleus" (The Blues) due to their traditional blue jerseys, the club's logo features the Eiffel Tower.

Since 2025, Paris FC has played at Jean-Bouin stadium, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, directly opposite PSG's Parc des Princes. Unlike its wealthy neighbor, Paris FC faced numerous challenges in establishing its position in French football and only returned to Ligue 1 in 2025.

Since 2024, Paris FC has been majority-owned by Agache Sport, a sports group belonging to the Arnault family, holding 52,4% of the shares. Austrian conglomerate Red Bull holds 10,6%, Alter Paris, led by Pierre Ferracci, owns 29,8%, and BRI Sports Holdings retains the remaining 7,2% of the shares.

Despite significant investments in the transfer market, Paris FC is signaling its ambition to rise. However, the club still faces a considerable gap in stature compared to PSG. Since its acquisition by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2011, PSG has become a dominant force in European football. The club has won Ligue 1 in five recent seasons and secured two consecutive Champions League titles.

Hong Duy (according to Marca)