Pushed out, the Argentine striker trained with the second group on Wednesday. Ditto for Junior Dina Ebimbe, courted in Germany.
One more tenant in the prestigious Parisian loft. As reported The Team and several other sources in the process, Mauro Icardi was invited to train with the second group of Paris Saint-Germain, with the other “banned” and some young people. If Christophe Galtier only moderately appreciates this term, the 29-year-old Argentinian international striker is therefore one of the “undesirables”. Clearly, the technical staff does not count on him and he is asked to find a new base by the end of the transfer window. Which might not be easy knowing that the former Inter Milan star, under contract until 2024, has no known touch. We have spoken here and there of the promoted Italian Monza but the rumors concerning Icardi mainly deal with… his private life.
Remember that the Argentinian gunner started strong in Paris, he who landed on the banks of the Seine in the summer of 2019. 24 shots on target, 17 goals (all in the box) and four assists in his first 17 matches in Red and Blue. One goal every 19 balls. A machine. The rest was not the same barrel … Last season, Icardi scored only five goals in 30 appearances (1307 minutes).
Ekitike in, Icardi out
However, we learned during the day that another Parisian striker, Arnaud Kalimuendo, is about to leave Paris for Rennes. But as Saber Desfarges points out, it was the arrival of Hugo Ekitike that pushed Icardi towards the second training group, that of the afternoon, led by Régis Beunardeau. It had been the same for Gana Gueye when Renato Sanches arrived. “There is what labor law and the LFP allow us to do. During this transfer window, we can split the group in two if we feel the need. Players who participate in the afternoon sessions know exactly what their situation is. They are professional players, we must respect them. It’s not easy for them. We’ll see if they manage to find a project that suits them or if they want to stay“, explained Galtier on Saturday, after the card on the ground of Clermont (0-5).
Always according to The Team, Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe was also demoted to this second group where there were already Ander Herrera, Julian Draxler, Rafinha, Thilo Kherer and Gana Gueye. The last two named are ardently courted in England at the latest news. Dina Ebimbe is in Frankfurt’s sights. We remember Gini Wijnaldum left for AS Roma. Last but not least, the young (17) El Chadaille Bitshiabu leaves group 2 for the first, according to the sports daily and Loïc Tanzi.
Montpellier on the menu on Saturday
In the meantime, Paris Saint-Germain is preparing the arrival of Montpellier on Saturday (9 p.m.), on behalf of the second day of Ligue 1. A priori, it will be with Kylian Mbappé, suspended for the Champions Trophy and forfeited the weekend last, in Clermont. A match that the “undesirables” will watch from the stands or their sofa, including Mauro Icardi, who remained glued to the bench and not called up for the match in Clermont. Christophe Galtier and his partner Luis Campos have promised not to make any concessions. They stick to it.