In a rare and unexpected admission, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain, made a shocking revelation about a defensive deal that nearly materialized some time ago, expressing his regret over an attempt to sign a star from Barcelona.
Al-Khelaifi, known for his remarkable ability to snatch stars from Europe’s biggest clubs, spoke candidly about a file that had been open in the Parisian club’s offices regarding a player once considered the “ideal leader” of PSG’s defense. However, circumstances on the ground changed entirely.
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The player in question: The Barcelona star who has lost everyone’s trust
The discussion centers on Ronald Araújo, the Barcelona defender, who was previously on Paris Saint-Germain’s radar. Al-Khelaifi expressed his full willingness to pay €60 million to secure his services, before the club ultimately backed away from the idea following a deeper evaluation of his performances.
In leaked statements from within the club, Al-Khelaifi was quoted telling those close to him:
“We were very close to signing Araújo, but in the end, I’m thankful for the circumstances that prevented us from making a mistake of that magnitude… Paying €60 million for a player who hadn’t proven himself would have been a disastrous decision.”
A decline in form raises concerns at Camp Nou
Araújo’s recent performances have raised concerns even within Barcelona itself. The Uruguayan has struggled with defensive positioning and building play from the back—crucial elements in Barcelona’s possession-based, progressive style of football.
In a pivotal Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Hansi Flick surprised everyone by omitting Araújo from the starting lineup, opting instead for the young duo Pau Cubarsí and Eric García. The decision reopened debate about the defender’s reliability in high-stakes matches.
Paris breathes a sigh of relief, while Barcelona reconsiders its defensive setup
Araújo’s continued presence at Camp Nou has yet to yield the expected impact, with his performances continuing to dip. This has triggered criticism from both Barcelona fans and the Spanish media, particularly due to recurring individual errors.
On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain feels it has narrowly avoided a failed transfer that could have cost the club a fortune. Al-Khelaifi has since emphasized that caution in the transfer market is far more important than chasing big names alone.
