Marquinhos, the esteemed defender of Paris Saint-Germain, has firmly declined a tempting offer from Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, choosing to continue his career in the French Ligue 1. The Saudi club, known for its ambitious transfer activities this summer, had set its sights on the Brazilian captain in a bid to strengthen their defensive line.
Despite Al-Ittihad’s substantial transfer fee offer, amounting to several tens of millions of euros, and an enticing salary package, it seems that Marquinhos’ desired move will not materialize this summer. According to RMC Sport, the Saudi club had indeed prioritized Marquinhos as their primary target and was willing to make significant financial efforts to secure his signature. However, it appears that the interest is not mutual.
At 29 years of age, the Brazilian defender could have potentially earned a higher salary than his current PSG contract, which already exceeds €1.2 million gross per month. Nevertheless, Marquinhos has unequivocally expressed his desire to remain in Paris, stating, “Not true! We’re staying here 100%,” in a recent social media comment made by his brother, in response to the Saudi interest rumor.
While the past few months may have been challenging for Marquinhos, the player seems to have regained his form recently, as evidenced by his convincing performance against Toulouse in the second matchday of Ligue 1, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
However, an unanswered question lingers: how would PSG’s captain react if he were to lose his armband, a possibility raised by a secret ballot revealed by RMC Sport? Could this situation potentially lead him to reconsider his decision to stay in Paris?
Internally, Marquinhos’ future appears to be a topic of divided opinions. While President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has consistently expressed his support for the defender, not everyone within the club’s management necessarily shares the player’s stance. The development of this captivating story is one to closely monitor.
Marquinhos’ steadfast commitment to PSG and his rejection of Al-Ittihad’s alluring offer has sent shockwaves through the football world. As the Brazilian defender continues to showcase his skills on the pitch, the question of his future at PSG remains a captivating narrative that will undoubtedly shape the club’s trajectory in the coming months.
❗️Al-Ittihad a ciblé Marquinhos. Le Brésilien veut rester au PSG 🇸🇦🔴🔵
🔹Le club saoudien qui cherche un défenseur central de haut niveau a placé Marquinhos dans une short-list pic.twitter.com/Y1tEAnvLmd
— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) August 22, 2023
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