Lucas Digne is undergoing his PSG medical as his return nears completion. The club also confirmed academy extensions for Thomas Leyssales and Jean-Francois Vulliez.
After being linked with the move for several days, Lucas Digne's transfer to PSG is close to being completed, with the player undergoing his medical to finalize his return.
France's World Cup campaign ended last Saturday with a wild 6-4 loss to England, and PSG's French contingent is about to welcome a new member. As reported over the past few days, Lucas Digne is set to complete his return to Paris, more than 10 years after his first unsuccessful spell at the club.
PSG activated the release clause in Digne's contract with Aston Villa, and the Premier League club will receive just under €10 million for the left back, who turned 33 on Monday, July 20. It is a very reasonable fee for PSG, while the defender will sign a three-year contract through June 2029. Under contract with Villa for two more seasons, Digne has effectively gained an extra year on his deal while joining a bigger club.
A sign that the transfer is nearing completion, Digne is undergoing his medical on Monday. It is not expected to present any problems, as the left back has suffered very few injuries throughout his career and has always been known for his professionalism.
Once the medical is completed and he signs his contract with his new club, Digne will begin a three-week vacation, the amount of time PSG have granted players whose World Cup campaigns ended after mid-July. As a result, the new left back could miss the UEFA Super Cup against his former club Aston Villa on Aug. 12.
Elsewhere, after being linked with a departure in the spring, Yohan Cabaye, PSG's sporting director for the academy and pre-academy, oversaw the U19 squad's return this weekend alongside Thomas Leyssales, who remains in charge of the team.
After playing a key role in the success of PSG's 2008 generation, from its U17 beginnings to last season's historic National U19 title and Coupe Gambardella double, the Paris coach has decided to continue his journey with the club. According to L'Equipe, Leyssales signed a two-year contract extension. Jean-François Vulliez, head coach of the reserve team, also extended his contract with PSG.
The academy's new structure is also taking shape at the U17 level following the departure of the team's head coach this summer. Vincent Ehouman, who guided PSG's U17 side to the French championship a few months ago, will move into the professional game as Damien Perrinelle's assistant at Red Star in Ligue 2.
To replace him, journalist Abdel Hamed reported that Youcef Bouamrane has been appointed head coach of the U17 National team. The former assistant will be joined by Abdoulaye Balde, a former professional player who most recently served as attacking coach and assistant with Amiens' U19 National team.
Another well-known figure in PSG's academy has also returned to the Campus, with longtime head of recruitment Pierre Reynaud returning in mid-June.
After being away for 9 months due to illness, the veteran scout has rejoined the club. His difficult relationship with Yohan Cabaye, who was appointed to lead the academy a little less than two years ago, reportedly contributed to that absence. Reynaud returned, while Cabaye, who received a formal warning following an internal investigation into a complaint, remains in his position. It remains to be seen whether the two will continue working together.
