French champion Paris Saint-Germain signed midfielder Danilo Pereira from Porto on Monday on a season-long loan, a move likely to appease tensions between coach Thomas Tuchel and sporting director Leonardo.
PSG announced the deal with an option to buy on the transfer window's deadline day after Leonardo criticized Tuchel last week for suggesting the club was weakened by failing to recruit new players.
Following their public spat, PSG also secured 20-year-old forward Moise Kean, who on Sunday signed on loan from English Premier League club Everton until the end of June.
While Kean's signing was not seen as crucial given PSG's attacking riches, the recruitment of a defensive midfielder such as Pereira was Tuchel's priority. At age 29 and 1.88 metres tall, he will bring experience and physical strength in midfield alongside smaller-built Marco Verratti and Idrissa Gueye.
Pereira won the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League with Portugal and has 39 international appearances.
``It's a new challenge for me, and to be part of Paris Saint-Germain fits my ambitions,'' Pereira said. ``Joining one of the biggest clubs in Europe and in the world is a huge moment in my career, and I hope to be able to bring a lot to Paris and its supporters.''
Tuchel, in his third season at PSG, regretted the departures of many important players, including Thiago Silva, Thomas Meunier and Tanguy Kouassi. He said the defending French champions and Champions League runners-up might need to lower expectations this season.
Following its 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in August, PSG endured a shaky start to the French league with two losses. Tuchel's team has since bounced back with four straight wins, moving up to fourth.
Once hailed as a prodigy, Keane has struggled since leaving the Serie A in 2019. Trained at the Juventus academy, he turned professional in 2017 and won two Italian championships before moving to England. He scored only two goals in 31 Premier League games with Everton.
Meanwhile, PSG archrival Marseille secured the arrival of former French Under-20 international Michael Cuisance from Bayern Munich. The European champion announced the season-long loan a few hours after Marseille right back Bouna Sarr went the other way to sign with the Bavarian club until 2024.
With Marseille back in the Champions League, the 21-year-old Cuisance was on Andre Villas-Boas' list of priorities as the Marseille coach sought to add depth in midfield.
Lyon strengthened its defence with the arrival of Italy international Mattia De Sciglio from Juventus on a season loan. The deal with the former AC Milan full back does not include an option to buy.
Lyon also recruited 18-year-old attacking midfielder Habib Keita, who signed a five-year contract until June 2025 worth 1 million euros plus incentives. Keita previously played for Malian side FC Guidars.
