What will the leaders of PSG not have done for Neymar? They broke the record for the most expensive transfer by spending €222 million in 2017, they offered him a pharaonic contract, forgave him his desire to leave in 2019 and even extended his contract despite all the setbacks known to bind him until 2027. But it seems that the deal has changed lately.
Are the Qataris tired of seeing the same problems appear, season after season, regardless of the identity of the coach? Maybe.
“We no longer want flashy, bling-bling, it’s the end of glitter”, warned Nasser Al-Khelaïfi last June to mark the beginning of a presumed new era.
Today more than ever, however, PSG is dependent on its three attacking stars, has almost no alternative, and finds itself in the water to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Messi, rather the spirit of a departure
Last summer already, we revealed to you that Luis Campos, inducted football adviser to Nasser Al-KhelaĂŻfi, had opened the door to a departure.
Especially since the Brazilian seemed to have understood that Kylian Mbappé was not against his departure to have free rein.
There followed a fairly tense sequence in August, between penaltygate and tensions between the two men.
Today, according to our information, the staff in Doha has made its choice as to the future of number 10, and wishes to leave at the end of the season.
A clear desire, reinforced in recent weeks by the very disappointing performances of the Brazilian, not to mention his problematic attitude towards his teammates during the match against AS Monaco.
It remains to be seen who will come knocking on the door for the 31-year-old player and whether he will be inclined to change his tune too.
The other burning issue concerns the extension, or not, of Lionel Messi. Lately, it was often written that the trend was towards an extension of the Argentinian.
If it is still not ruled out, this hypothesis is not currently the one favored by the Pulga. The world champion would rather have a start in mind.
He obviously still has time to change his mind, especially since PSG, even if he has obviously maintained permanent contact with the Messi club, will wait for the Champions League to decide.
The case of the two former Barcelonans could ultimately be similar, and then the PSG president can speak of a new era.
