PSG star Angel Di Maria was told by his wife to remain at the club even if it meant being as the chef should Lionel Messi move to Paris Saint Germain.
With Messi fully in the cross-sights of PSG, the other players which are reaching the end of their contracts have slid ever so slightly underneath the radar with the Barca talisman’s Argentine compatriot Angel Di Maria being one of them.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United winger Di Maria is reaching the end of the deal he inked back in 2018 and could leave the French capital. Transfer journalist for Fabrizio Romano has suggested that a number of clubs have approached and are being contacted by Di Maria’s representatives.
“Di Maria has been offered to many clubs just because he is a free agent at the end of the season, so we’re going to talk about him,” Romano said on his Here We Go podcast.
“PSG are still negotiating with him for a new contract, so it’s not 100% that he’s leaving the club and there are chances for him to extend the contract. While he is negotiating his agent is talking with some clubs like Tottenham, some Italian clubs and many others.”
With the ace footballer turning 33 next month, the gradual decline is inevitable as Di Maria glides through his twilight years.
Although speculation has been rife regarding Di Maria leaving the Ligue 1 champions, he has made it known that he wishes to continue at the club should they succeed in signing Messi.
Apart from being Argentinian teammates, Di Maria has never had the opportunity to play alongside Messi at club level.
“I always had the dream of playing with Messi in a club team. Every time we go to the Argentine national team, it seems very short. I always had the dream of playing with him, having him by my side every day,” he enthused.
“I had, at one time, chances to go to FC Barcelona, but it was not possible. It seems that there is another chance, but my contract is ending here. I don’t know what could happen, but I would love it, and I would be very happy.”
The former Man Utd man mused that should the club manage to secure the signing of Messi, his wife has suggested he should do anything, even if it meant a career change, to stay at the club.
“I had the chance to play with Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé. Playing with Leo, I could retire happily. My wife told me ‘if Leo comes, we stay and at the very least you can stay on as a cook.’ That tells you everything. It would be the best. I couldn’t ask for anything more in football.”
Whilst no clear decision has yet been made on Messi’s future, it’s obvious the planet’s most mercurial striker isn’t short of options. It still remains to be seen where he will eventually end up should he choose not to leave Barcelona, which is looking pretty unlikely.