Le Parisien again have claims on Idrissa Gueye today, so let’s just have a recap on the magical mystery changing price of midfielder, as per the French sport media.
On January 10th, L’Equipe said Everton were being ‘greedy’ and asking PSG for €45m.
On January 11th, Le Parisien also called the Toffees ‘greedy’, but said they were asking for €40m.
On January 14th, L’Equipe said the ‘specific amount’ Everton wanted was €30m, but that internally the English club had agreed on €20m as the player’s value and were just trying use the ‘PSG effect’ to their advantage’.
On January 18th, Le Parisien reported Everton want ‘no less than’ €50m for Gueye.
The figure was at €50m because that’s what Abdoulaye Doucouré would cost from Watford, and the Toffees were thought to see him as Gueye’s successor.
On January 19th, L’Equipe went with at least their third price in ten days, as they claimed Everton are demanding ‘around €40m’.
January 20th sees an article from Le Parisien saying Everton ‘ask for €40m’.
The situation has become more ‘urgent’ for the French club, for two reasons.
Firstly, it’s now January 21st and getting a defensive midfielder in is something which Le Parisien feel should have been sorted out by now.
Secondly, Marco Verratti has picked up an injury and his layoff time isn’t completely known.
PSG’s delay is considered ‘surprising’ because they could have brought someone in for when the second half of the season commenced on January 6th.
As well as continuing to pursue Gueye, who it’s claimed has already agreed salary and contract length with PSG, the club are aiming for Leandro Paredes. But Zenit are asking for ‘more than €35m’, and hoping for as much as €55m.
PSG, hamstrung by FFP, aren’t finding things so easy now they can’t simply throw ridiculous fees around.
