RB Leipzig thought they had tied up Paris Saint-Germain defender Tanguy Kouassi to a professional contract but that may change after the news that Dayot Upamecano may stay with Leipzig for another year.
According to Sky Info, Upamecano plans to sign an extension to keep him with Leipzig until 2022, which effectively ends the potential of him leaving for Arsenal FC, FC Bayern Munich, and Manchester United who were all rumored to be interested in signing the Frenchman during the upcoming transfer window.
But, who cares about those teams? How will Upamecano remaining at Leipzig benefit PSG? Well, Kouassi is in search of playing time and he thought with his compatriot leaving Leipzig that he would slot into the starting center-back role.
Kouassi may still push for a move to Leipzig and wait a year for Upamecano to leave, but at PSG, he will likely be offered just as much playing time if not more. At 17-years-old and yet to sign a professional contract, Kouassi made 13 appearances for PSG, including becoming the youngest ever to start a UEFA Champions League match for the club against Galatasaray SK.
Manager Thomas Tuchel obviously rates the youngster and has played him as both a center-back and defensive midfielder.
Kouassi needs to look at the big picture and realize he could be the starting center-back for years at PSG. Thiago Silva is 35-years-old and maybe has one more season in him in the French capital. Marquinhos is playing more as a defensive midfielder, which would mean Kouassi would team up with Presnel Kimpembe as PSG’s preferred center-back pairing.
Ultimately, Kouassi has to want to be in Paris. PSG can use this news to try and convince him but unless he buys into the project, it’s not worth pursuing the youngster and trying to get him to sign a professional contract.
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