In a rare moment of candor, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has admitted that the club narrowly avoided what could have been one of its costliest transfer mistakes — a €60 million deal for a Barcelona defender that was called off at the last moment.
Known for his aggressive pursuit of Europe’s top talent, Al-Khelaifi opened up about a past transfer operation once seen as essential to PSG’s defensive rebuild — but ultimately abandoned after doubts emerged about the player’s readiness.
The player in question? Ronald Araújo, Barcelona’s Uruguayan centre-back.
According to sources close to the PSG camp, Al-Khelaifi confessed that the club had been on the verge of completing a €60 million move for Araújo before pulling the plug after a detailed performance review.
“We were very close to signing Araújo,” Al-Khelaifi reportedly said. “But in hindsight, I’m grateful the deal didn’t happen. Spending €60 million on a player who hadn’t yet proven himself would have been a major mistake.”
The admission comes at a difficult time for Barcelona, where concerns are growing over Araújo’s form. The defender’s recent performances have drawn criticism for lapses in positioning and composure on the ball — key qualities in Hansi Flick’s possession-based system.
During a crucial Champions League clash against PSG, Flick made the bold choice to drop Araújo from the starting XI, opting instead for the young pairing of Pau Cubarsí and Eric García. The decision reignited debates about Araújo’s reliability in high-pressure matches.
While Barcelona continues to struggle with defensive instability, PSG insiders now express relief at having avoided what could have been an expensive gamble.
Al-Khelaifi’s remarks highlight a broader shift in PSG’s strategy — prioritizing caution and performance over big-name signings, even when temptation strikes.
As Barcelona reflects on Araújo’s uncertain form, PSG can confidently say they “escaped at the last moment.”
