The truth about Jose Mourinho PSG links and the latest on Lionel Messi’s future
Christophe Galtier is widely expected to leave PSG at the end of the season despite only being in charge for one season. The goal first is on winning Ligue 1 and then his future will be resolved.
Rumours of Jose Mourinho replacing him are premature right now. Mourinho has always been appreciated by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, but there’s no talks taking place. Mourinho is focused on trying to qualify for the Champions League with Roma.
Should PSG make a managerial change, anyone incoming must understand the new project. PSG are not trying to buy as many established big-money stars currently. They are very much intent on investing in youth and want to buy French talents if possible, too. There will always be exceptions, but the recruitment strategy has definitely shifted and either Galtier or a new manager must understand that.
Whereas Neymar could stay, and wants to, Lionel Messi’s future remains unclear. As revealed last year, there was never a ‘verbal pact’ between Messi and PSG to extend. After the World Cup, Messi’s camp did indicate a desire to stay in Paris, but no details were discussed. PSG always knew talks would begin in January, with the club pushing for a new 1+1 deal rather than a straight extension, which is also possible within Messi’s existing contract.
Talks have stalled, although once again nothing was ever agreed in the first place, but it’s fair to say PSG were hoping back in January a deal would be complete by now. The fact it hasn’t been is partly down to Messi assessing options, but also PSG moving in a different direction. And whereas late last year, a Messi return to Barcelona was little more than a dream, now Joan Laporta is seriously looking at how he can make it work. It’s complicated but possible.
Manchester United the most concrete suitors for Harry Kane despite Chelsea and PSG links
While we’re on the subject of PSG, they have also been linked with Harry Kane, but I still see the Spurs striker remaining in the Premier League. As revealed in October, he isn’t sold on Bayern either. There is still no total guarantee Kane leaves Spurs. But whereas Spurs were calm about a renewal up until about January, there is growing pessimism he will extend now. But a lot will depend on the new boss, and although Spurs is very chaotic right now – it’s easily the biggest crisis Daniel Levy has faced – Kane could also use this to have a significant say in the new manager and Fabio Paratici’s replacement.
Manchester United are the most concrete English suitor for Kane and are currently doing their due diligence on any deal. Even if they get buy in on the player side, it’s still important to stress a deal could well be done by new owners, instead of under the Glazers, so there are a lot of moving parts. And Levy won’t make things easy – Manchester United know this from when they signed Dimitar Berbatov. And the price is expected to be around £100m if a deal is struck. This isn’t a new or raised number either. It’s really always been that high.
Kane will also no doubt be linked to Chelsea if Pochettino joins, and there is certainly admiration for him amongst the Chelsea board. Who wouldn’t want a proven Premier League goalscorer – even from a London rival – if he becomes available on the market? But Kane to Chelsea is seen as unlikely (although not impossible!) at this stage, especially with Chelsea lacking Champions League football next season. And until Kane (and as importantly Levy) makes up his mind, it’s premature to predict the next step. This is why Manchester United are trying to move early, to understand the full picture and avoid a drawn-out saga. They will only move if they know they aren’t going to get messed about or used as leverage and are trying to understand this before the window opens.
Could Randal Kolo Muani be a Harry Kane alternative for Man Utd? Click here to find out more!
Manchester United monitoring new goalkeepers despite Erik ten Hag’s praise of David de Gea
Erik ten Hag was asked about David de Gea’s future after Manchester United’s disappointing Europa League exit to Sevilla. De Gea had an error-prone display in Spain but ten Hag pointed out after the game that he has “the most clean sheets in the Premier League. That number shows he’s a very capable goalkeeper.”
De Gea seems to dramatically oscillate at times being game-saving stops and game-costing errors. He has committed the most errors leading to a goal across all competitions since the start of last season, but he’s also saved plenty of points and in spectacular fashion.
Manchester United’s intention is still to keep de Gea, and the stops he made against Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final show why. De Gea is expected to sign a new deal on reduced wages, with an agreement not far off, but that hasn’t stopped Manchester United looking at alternatives, especially with Dean Henderson, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, also not wanting to return to the club unless he’s crowned No.1.
David Raya is one player to watch with Brentford resigned to losing him during the summer. Thomas Frank has said he’s worth at least £40m. Porto’s Diogo Costa is another name Manchester United (and Chelsea) have been scouting. Mike Maignan is not expected to leave Milan and is healthily contracted even if he doesn’t agree to new terms, but that’s another goalkeeper Erik ten Hag rates. And I still wouldn’t rule out a Premier League club moving for Jordan Pickford, even though he’s signed a new deal until 2027 with no relegation clause in it. There is still an informal agreement if Everton go down that Pickford can leave. Spurs were always a frontrunner, but we’ll have to wait and see now what their new manager thinks.
Manchester United are in a healthy position, though. They can kind of have their cake and eat it: extend de Gea – who wants to stay – and explore the market for a new younger keeper at the same time.