RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain tried to sign him during the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old emerged as a breakthrough star at Strasbourg before securing a £13.5m move to the Bundesliga last season, and he immediately became a regular for Die Roten Bullen.
Simakan ended his debut campaign at Leipzig with one goal and one assist from 41 appearances in all competitions, and he started all six of Leipzig's games en route to the DFB-Pokal title.
In the early stages of the 2022-23 campaign, the defender has impressed with two goals and four assists from 17 matches, being deployed as a centre-back and a right-back at club level.
Things could have been very different for the ex-Strasbourg man, though, as PSG were strongly linked with a move for the Frenchman during the most recent window.
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Leipzig had no intention of parting ways with Simakan, who is under contract until 2026, but he has confirmed to L'Equipe that contact was made over a move by football advisor Luis Campos.
"Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing me, it's true. Luis Campos spoke to my agents," Simakan told the French outlet. "I've decided to stay as stability is key for me — it was agreed with RB Leipzig board."
Campos supposedly tried to sign Simakan for Real Madrid when he was employed by the Bernabeu giants, and PSG are expected to test Leipzig's resolve again in 2023.
Simakan has produced a total of three goals and five assists in 58 games for RB Leipzig in all competitions, setting up Timo Werner's winner in last week's 3-2 Champions League win over Real Madrid.
The Frenchman - who has represented his country at Under-20 level - previously scored once and provided one assist in 44 games for Strasbourg, but PSG were still able to bolster their defence ahead of the 2022-23 season.
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In contrast to Simakan, Nordi Mukiele was allowed to leave Leipzig for PSG in the summer to compete with Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos and Achraf Hakimi for starts in the backline.
PSG also tried and failed to sign Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar, who could be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market if he opts to leave the Nerazzurri next year.
Christophe Galtier has previously revealed that his side were put off by Inter's demands for the 27-year-old, saying: "Our president did everything he could to bring them to Paris. We obviously wanted an extra central defender with this crazy schedule.
"We were right. It was impossible in the last week to finalise it. I understand my president for not accepting Inter Milan's conditions. It was important for me and Luis Campos to recruit a defender, but unfortunately we didn't manage to do it."
Skriniar is yet to extend his Inter Milan deal beyond the summer of 2023, and PSG are expected to be one of several sides battling for his signature if he departs on a free transfer.
Ben Knapton
