Ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League game against Liverpool on Tuesday evening, some reports that the fans could have done without have began to emerge
You'd think all was well when it comes to PSG. The team is currently four points clear in Ligue 1 and has a game in hand on its nearest competitors, Lens. There is also a healthy 2-0 lead over Liverpool heading into the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.
However, not everything is sunshine and roses. Indeed, according to L'Equipe via GFFN, Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele does not currently wish to extend his contract in the French capital.
As it stands, the 28-year-old has a deal until 2028. So from this summer onwards, it feels really important that the club is able to agree an extension with the player, or risk losing him for 1) a discounted price, or 2) even worse, on a free transfer.
The report mentions several reasons why Dembele wants to wait. He wants to know the salary cap in place and to concentrate on this summer's FIFA World Cup in North America. They also state that his future is linked to PSG's run in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, they say that, in the event of a potential departure, the Premier League and Saudi Pro League are possible destinations for the player, mentioning that N'Golo Kante is an example of how you can still play for the French national team whilst playing in the latter division.
Well, certainly not ideal. Though you can understand it to an extent. The World Cup is the pinnacle of football, and you want to focus on that. There will be a lot of players waiting until after the tournament to decide their future or otherwise at their current clubs.
That said, this is not an ideal report to be coming out on the eve of a huge Champions League game against Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow night. Although it would be an almighty collapse for Luis Enrique's side not to advance, you still want as little noise and distractions as possible ahead of a big game.
Let's see. Ideally, this can be sorted as soon as possible after the World Cup. As mentioned earlier, PSG really do not want Dembele entering the final two years of his contract, or they will start to face dilemmas on how to play the situation from a sporting and financial perspective. Hopefully, this does not drag on any longer than necessary.
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