The PSG star who wants to follow Mbappe to Real Madrid
What started out as a light-hearted quick-fire Q&A session has turned into another headache for the directors at Paris Saint-Germain, as Leandro Paredes has revealed that his dream is to one day play for Real Madrid.
Asked during an interview with TyC Sports which club he'd love to play for in the future, the Argentine picked Real Madrid. He explained: "Every player dreams of wearing that shirt, as it is a very important club.”
Leandro Paredes tells TyC Sports: "I'd love to play for Real Madrid one day, it's a top club - but I respect Paris Saint-Germain and I'm more than happy here" 🇦🇷 #PSG
"Every year they say on the press I'm gonna leave PSG... but I'm happy here. The club wants me, Pochettino too".— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 6, 2022
While it’s unusual for any player to openly discuss the idea of playing for another club, this is a particularly weighty embarrassment for those in charge at the Parc des Princes, given the hostile relationship the French club now has with Real Madrid as a result of the Kylian Mbappe saga.
Paredes later added that he is content at PSG, saying: I have a lot of respect for my current club and I'm very happy here.” However, the damage was already done.
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Could Paredes actually join Real Madrid?
While losing the Argentine to Real Madrid wouldn’t be as significant a sporting or political blow as losing Mbappe, Paredes is still an important player for the Ligue 1 champions. He has made 22 appearances across all competitions this season, as Mauricio Pochettino likes what he can offer, and it would have been more had it not been for injury issues.
Paredes is only committed to PSG for one more season, as his contract expires in the summer of 2023. Therefore, he would be able to negotiate with other clubs as of next January.
While Real Madrid surely don’t need the 27-year-old, the fact he has mentioned the possibility of playing elsewhere has opened a can of worms for Paris Saint-Germain. They can expect, therefore, a summer of transfer rumours and speculation about where the midfielder will play his football next season.
