Luis Enrique keeps shaping Paris Saint-Germain's squad his own way after a historic season. The French side achieved a treble with Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and finally, the Champions League won in Munich. However, the Asturian coach has made it clear that his plan doesn't stop with recent successes: the transfer market is key to keeping the team at the elite level.
Barça is watching these moves closely, since PSG is not only looking to strengthen itself, but its decisions also indirectly affect the Catalan club in the summer window. In particular, the goalkeeper position, a scenario where Barça is seeking opportunities to free up salary mass with a hypothetical departure of Marc-André ter Stegen. Paris seemed like a logical alternative for the German, but the Parisian sporting management has taken another path.
Shining in Paris is not enough
The main protagonist of this change is Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper, despite having delivered an outstanding Champions League and being a key piece in the treble, won't continue in Paris. Luis Enrique was never fully convinced by his inconsistency and his problems with playing with his feet.
Negotiations for a contract renewal haven't progressed, and the club has decided to open the door for him amid Premier League interest. PSG, determined to turn the page, has completed the signing of Lucas Chevalier, the young Lille prospect and future goalkeeper of the French national team. The deal will be around €40 million, a figure (40 million euros) that confirms the Parisian commitment to a new cycle between the posts.
This move also means that the club is ruling out other options like Ter Stegen. This complicates Barça's plans to free up his salary and generate income.
Blow for Barça
This change in the Parisian goalkeeping position has a side effect for the Culers. On one hand, Lucas Chevalier was a target on the sporting management's agenda at FC Barcelona as a bet for the future, and now he will strengthen a direct European rival. On the other hand, the signing closes the door to a possible negotiation for Ter Stegen, who saw PSG as an ideal destination.
In France, they consider the signing a done deal, while Donnarumma prepares his departure to the Premier League. The Italian goalkeeper's best season of his career hasn't been enough to guarantee his continuity. Luis Enrique has prioritized having a young goalkeeper, secure with his feet and aligned with his play style.
Meanwhile, Barça sees Paris win another battle in the market and will have to reconfigure its plans for the immediate future.