Paris Saint-Germain football advisor Luis Campos spoke to the Rothen s’enflamme podcast about his future at the Parisian club, after he’s been heavily linked with Chelsea, with reports that new owner Todd Boehly approached him to be the Blues’ sporting director.
The 58-year-old said “I’ve a three-year deal here at PSG as I wanted, and I’ve joined this club because I’m convinced we can do something extraordinary”, adding, “I’ve the right energy to fight for Paris Saint-Germain and do something great here”.
Campos also addressed the rumours that Brazilian star Neymar was poised to leave the Ligue 1 side, amid speculation that Frenchman Kylian Mbappe was using his position at the club to muscle out the forward.
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“Neymar was never close to leaving PSG. Rumours on Neymar this summer were completely fake – also, saying that Mbappé wanted Ney to be sold is another big fake news”, he said, adding, “Neymar is 100% part of our project”.
The Argentine magician, Lionel Messi, is a different story, however. There has been news that he’s had a hard time settling in, and his family hasn’t taken to Paris quite the same way as they loved Barcelona. This season, Messi’s been in considerably better form, both in terms of assists and goals. Meanwhile, Barcelona had expressed a strong desire to have Messi back to finish his career at the club which launched the little magician into indelible footballing glory.
Campos said that Messi wouldn’t make any decision before the World Cup, which will likely be the Argentine’s last chance to win the coveted prize that has eluded him thus far, and remains a constant point of comparison whenever Messi’s name is mentioned alongside Diego Maradona’s.
“I asked Messi if he wanted to stay and I told him that I hope that he will stay here during my tenure here [3 years]. I’m very satisfied with Leo”, the PSG advisor said.
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The director also gave an update on former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos, who is the pillar of PSG’s defensive lineup at present. “I’m happy with Sergio Ramos, so if he keeps performing like this… why not?”, Campos said, adding, “He’s having a very good season and the same for Leo Messi — would be good to extend both contracts”.
In the course of the interview, it also became evident that Campos was not happy with PSG’s summer transfer window, and the club will be looking to do better, despite having a stellar team already.