The January transfer window opens in a matter of weeks and Paris Saint-Germain supporters are clamoring for a new right-back. Unfortunately, Youcef Atal, OGC Nice’s highly-rated 23-year-old won’t be coming to the French capital after he suffered a devastating injury on Saturday.
Nice defeated FC Metz 4-1 but the bigger story to come out of the fixture was Atal’s knee injury. The Algerian had to be taken off in the 29th minute and on Sunday, tests revealed that Atal tore his meniscus and “will, unfortunately, be out of action for a long time” according to the club’s official website.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Allan Saint-Maximin (@asaintmaximin) December 8, 2019
PSG had previously been linked with Atal after he impressed at the Parc des Princes last season.
Le PSG s’intéresse à Youcef Atal (FF) #TeamPSG #PSG #MercatoPSG https://t.co/0AdqUT0Nqq pic.twitter.com/NnKoJ2on8V
— Canal Supporters (@CanalSupporters) May 13, 2019
With loads of pace and technical ability, it’s easy to see why the reigning French champions would be interested in Atal. He would be an instant upgrade over current starter Thomas Meunier who is out of contract at the end of the season.
According to Goal, Atal was also targeted by Chelsea FC who will now have to look elsewhere to solve their full-back issue.
In an interview with Canal+ (via Goal) last month, Atal spoke about his desire to play for a bigger club than Nice.
“Yes, I can play in a big club, that’s part of my goals. I work for that. There is not a player who will tell you that he would not like to play for a big club.”
You hate to see a player with so much talent and desire go down with a serious injury but I think I speak for all PSG fans when I say, get well soon and can’t wait to see you back on the pitch.
Moving forward, if sporting director Leonardo wants to upgrade the right-back position, another option would be RS Strasbourg’s Kenny Lala. He would likely come cheaper than Atal and with Strasbourg struggling this season, they may be willing to let Lala leave for a bigger club.
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