Manchester City has reached an agreement to bring in French midfielder Hermann Malonga from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, sources confirmed Monday. The deal, which is expected to be completed when the summer transfer window opens, adds a 22-year-old talent to Pep Guardiola's squad without any fee to the French champions.
A rare free-agent signing for City
Malonga becomes one of the few players City have acquired without a transfer fee in recent years. The club typically spends heavily on established stars, but Guardiola and the recruitment team saw an opportunity with Malonga’s contract at PSG expiring this summer.
City’s midfield already boasts depth, but Malonga offers a different profile — more of a box-to-box engine than the creative playmakers currently on the roster. The move also aligns with the club’s long-term planning, as Malonga is still young enough to develop under Guardiola's system.
Who is Hermann Malonga?
Malonga came through PSG’s academy but found first-team opportunities limited behind stars like Marco Verratti, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery. He made 14 appearances for the senior side across all competitions last season, mostly as a substitute, and spent time on loan at Ligue 2 side Amiens two years ago.
Despite limited top-flight minutes, scouts have praised his stamina, defensive awareness, and ability to carry the ball forward. City’s data analysts have tracked him for the past 18 months, and the free transfer allows the club to test his fit with minimal financial risk.
What this means for City's squad
Malonga’s arrival could signal a shift toward younger, lower-cost additions to supplement the core. With Kevin De Bruyne turning 33 next season and Ilkay Gündogan already 33, Guardiola is adding a midfielder who can learn behind the veterans and eventually take on a bigger role.
The move also lets City avoid entering a bidding war for other midfield targets. Instead of paying £40-50 million for a similar player, they get Malonga for just agent fees and a signing bonus. The club will likely announce the deal once Malonga passes a medical and final contract terms are settled.
PSG's role in the transfer
PSG did not push to keep Malonga, having not offered him a new contract. The French side is focused on offloading wages and trimming a large squad. Allowing Malonga to leave for nothing costs them no transfer income but frees up a spot in their midfield.
City and PSG have a history of player swaps and negotiations in recent years, but this deal was straightforward: Malonga’s camp initiated contact with City’s sporting directors, and talks progressed quickly over the past week. No other Premier League clubs made a serious offer, though some Italian and German sides showed interest.
The official signing is expected before July 1, when Malonga would become a free agent. City will then integrate him into preseason training, and he could feature in the Community Shield if he arrives in time.
