PSG teenage sensation El Chadaille Bitshiabu attracting interest from 5 European clubs: Reports
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) centre-back El Chadaille Bitshiabu is reportedly attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham, Leeds United, and Red Bull Salzburg.
According to Jeunes Footeux (h/t PSGTalk), Les Parisiens will make a decision on his future considering his current contract expires at the end of next season. He has featured in five Ligue 1 games this term.
The 17-year-old's path to regular first-team football isn't obstructed by many hurdles. Alongside Sergio Ramos, Presnel Kimpembe and captain Marquinhos, he is one of four natural centre-back options for manager Christopher Galtier.
Danilo Pereira, who has plied his trade in defensive midfield throughout his career, has often been used at centre-back this season. This goes to show that the French tactician could use another natural centre-back in his squad.
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Le @PSG_inside est heureux d’annoncer la signature du premier contrat professionnel d’El Chadaille Bitshiabu.
Le défenseur central de 16 ans est lié au club de la capitale jusqu’au 30 juin 2024.
Moreover, 36-year-old Ramos could leave as a free agent this summer. It remains to be seen if PSG view Bitshiabu as an option for next season and are ready to hand him more minutes.
If not, there seems to be no shortage of suitors for the U18 France international. The likes of Fulham and Leeds United could offer him the chance to play in the Premier League and make his way up the ladder.
However, given the player's ceiling and age profile, it wouldn't be a surprise if PSG are ready to table a new offer to extend his contract.
What Christophe Galtier said after El Chadaille Bitshiabu's first start for PSG
El Chadaille Bitshiabu's first start for PSG came in his team's 2-1 win against RC Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on December 28 last year.
El Chadaille Bitshiabu vs Strasbourg
79 minutes
68 passes
91% pass accuracy
6 tackles
2 interceptions
1 blocked shot
1/1 aerial won
7/9 duels won
17 years of age. His first-ever Ligue 1 start and a very solid performance on his secondary position. Huge talent. https://t.co/cNeughBXag
He was forced to play as a left-back in Juan Bernat's absence. Given he is a centre-back, manager Christophe Galtier had to switch around his tactics to accommodate the teenager.
The Frenchman played 79 minutes before being taken off the field by the boss. Speaking after the full-time whistle, Galtier praised Bitshiabu, saying (h/t Get Football News France):
"We realized that he was not comfortable offensively, so we had to change our organization a bit to play the ball out of our defense... he was very good defensively, and considering the context, it was a very successful first outing for him."
Out of his 10 appearances across competitions for the capital-based club, only three have seen him feature in the starting XI. He has been an unused substitute in his team's last two league games that included a 4-3 win against LOSC Lille Metropole and a 3-0 triumph against Olympique de Marseille.