Usually, the executives of a squad are mandated to "pick up" the opposing stars targeted by the club. At PSG, all the paraphernalia are deployed for a more modest cause: having their 17-year-old players sign their first professional contract, Adil Aouchiche and Tanguy Kouassi. The latter, author of his first goal among professionals Wednesday in Reims (0-3), less than three weeks after that of his friend from the training center against Linas-Montlhéry (0-6), is the subject of attention the more cajoling.
“He has the possibility of being professional, he just has to sign! ", Amused Thomas Tuchel at the microphone of Canal +. Kylian Mbappé also kindly put pressure on his very young teammate, while congratulating him on the 4000th goal in the history of the club, which PSG attributes to him (contrary to our statistics): "It's heavy with phew ... But sign the contract too! "
The player, whom Neymar also invited to celebrate his goal with him, spoke very briefly on the subject in the mixed zone, showing himself open to a Parisian future: "Yes, yes, of course. If I can play, I don't mind. With a knowing smile that indicated a certain anticipation of this question.
Kouassi not insensitive to trusted brands
The oratory precautions of the central defender, who sometimes plays in the midfield, are not trivial. In the plan he drew for him, Red Bull Leipzig inserted a signing bonus estimated at nearly 4 million euros, but also the promise to succeed the Frenchman Dayot Upamecano in central defense. It remains to be confirmed that the latter will leave this summer. Other clubs, notably Manchester City, also presented a project to the Parisian, but it is the German track which is the most serious in the event of departure.
A weaker assumption than a few weeks ago. The Parisian proposal would not be as lucrative. It would rather oscillate between 2.5 and 3 million euros according to sources close to the file. But the player and his family would not be insensitive to the marks of trust granted by PSG. Unlike the policy implemented by Antero Henrique in the past, the club chose to align the player (6 appearances), despite the fragility of his contractual status.
Aouchiche, file closed in two weeks?
Contrary to suspicions sometimes relayed by competitors, Thomas Tuchel always assured that he was not lobbying by integrating the player in his team, but that he was sticking to merit. In a club like Paris, it is undoubtedly less easy to offer guarantees of playing time than in Leipzig, which does not pretend to the first European ranks. Whatever Kouassi's response, PSG will at least feel that they have done everything possible on this issue.
The outcome seems less uncertain for Adil Aouchiche (two tenures this season). The midfielder, elected 2nd player in the last Under-17 World Cup, has always given his preference to a first professional contract in Paris in his statements. A priority repeated by its representatives during discussions with interested clubs, which is always reassuring in cases that sometimes look like poker. If all goes according to plan, the file could be closed within the next two weeks.