Arnault, Red Bull's proposed Paris FC takeover set to fix city's football oddity

PARIS : Since Paris St Germain were taken over by Qatar Sports Investments just over a decade ago the club has become a symbol of global sports ambition and highlighted the absence of another top-tier club in the city, an oddity in European football.

The Arnault family and Red Bull's proposed investment in Paris FC announced on Thursday is set to give the French capital a second top club to bring the city into line.

The Premier League boasts seven London clubs, while the likes of Barcelona, Madrid, Turin, Munich, Manchester, Liverpool and Lisbon each have two historical clubs.

Paris FC would become the second French club owned by a billionaire after Kering's Francois Pinault acquired Stade Rennais in 1998.

The Arnault family is expected to bring at least 100 million euros ($108.22 million) to the project, with the possibility of pushing the budget up to 200 million if the club secures a spot in the top flight next season, which would put Paris FC among the top 10, and possibly five, in terms of Ligue 1 budget.

The financial muscle will be complemented by Red Bull’s vast expertise in sports management and talent development, having built successful clubs around the world through a unique model that nurtures talent and coordinates a global network.

"At least on paper, it's a marriage made in heaven because it serves a purpose for all the stakeholders who are involved," sports analysts Simon Chadwick told Reuters on Tuesday.

"Red Bull brings 20 to 30 years of proven expertise. They know how to develop sports properties, not just sell energy drinks. Their model has shown success in Salzburg and Leipzig, and Paris FC could be their next big project."

FAN BASE

While PSG have capitalised on the city’s status as a global capital of