PSG unable to complete first summer transfer due to 25-year-old star’s unpaid financial support to ex-wife: Reports
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) could reportedly miss out on completing their first transfer of the summer window. The French giants are set to complete the signing of Russian goalkeeper Matvei Safonov but are halted due to domestic issues.
PSG have nearly completed a move for him worth £17 million (via Sport Bible). However, Safonov is barred from leaving the Russian Federation due to a large debt owed to his ex-wife, according to a report from the Baza telegram channel via Match TV. He reportedly owes around £510,405 to his ex-wife and has been in legal proceedings with her for their daughter's custody.
Speaking to a Russian TV station, Maxim Shilov who represents Safonov’s ex-wife revealed:
“I can neither confirm nor deny the amount. But the debt is significant. Yes. The bailiff adopted a corresponding resolution and restricted Matvey Safonov from traveling outside the Russian Federation due to the fact that a large debt had arisen in paying alimony.”
The Russian shot-stopper will have to resolve his legal issues as soon as he can if he hopes to join PSG this summer.
Why do PSG want a new goalkeeper?
PSG seem to have finally given up on having Gianluigi Donnarumma as their uncontested number one after their failure to win the UEFA Champions League again. The French giants have cemented themselves as undisputed hegemons of their domestic competitions, however, the continent remains a difficult nut to crack.
With the team set to embark on a new era without Kylian Mbappe for the first time in the better part of a decade, new changes are also needed. While the Italian shot-stopper remains highly rated, bringing in a direct competitor could help bring the best out of him.
The current Parisien number one will however be keen to remind his employers that he remains a stand-out performer this summer. Donnarumma heads to Euro 2024 with Italy and will hope to retain his nation’s continental crown won in 2020.