- Kimpembe nearing exit from PSG
- Injury-prone defender not in Luis Enrique‘s plans
- Has attracted interest from Qatar and Saudi
Kimpembe is living his last hours as a PSG player. Having joined the club aged 10 in 2005, the 2018 World Cup winner is no longer part of Luis Enrique’s plans and has only one year left on his contract. With only five appearances last season, the 30-year-old defender’s future lies far from the French capital. While the major European leagues have closed their doors, other markets remain open. Qatar and Saudi Arabia are eyeing the player, but he already has a preference.
While several Saudi clubs have approached his entourage, the response was not long in coming. The idea of a transfer to the Saudi Pro League does not excite Kimpembe, who prefers another destination. According to L’Equipe the Beaumont-sur-Oise native is currently in talks with Qatar Sports Club, second in the league after three consecutive victories. While Saudi Arabia could well pay to sign him, Kimpembe has refused, favouring Qatar.
L’Equipe further reveal that talks are progressing rapidly between the defender and the Qatari club. Some sources are even categorical: the deal could be concluded before September 16, the closing date of the transfer window in Qatar. On PSG’s side, no major obstacles are expected to arise. Les Parisiens have no intention of retaining a player who no longer fits into their plans. The two options on the table are the release of his final year of contract or a transfer for a symbolic fee.
If this departure were to materialise, PSG would be turning an important page. Kimpembe, who came up through the club’s youth system, has played 165 Ligue 1 matches for the club and 44 in the Champions League. A part of France‘s 2018 World Cup-winning squad, he is part of the generation that shaped the modern PSG. But at 30, his adventure is coming to an end, and Qatar could be where his next chapter begins.
It should be noted that he was approached by AC Milan this summer, but the defender decided not to pursue the Italian club’s interest.
Additional reporting by Patrick Tchanhoun.
