Transfers, Erding : a Qatari decision

Few days after the announcement that Paris Saint-Germain’s will retain Mevlüt Erding in his professional team, we know a bit more concerning this sudden turnaround.

According to L’Équipe, the order to retain the Turkish player came from the Qatari owners of the Parisian club, and in particular from Sheikh Tamim ben Hamad al-Thani, who watched the match Toulouse - Paris on television. He ordered Leonardo to retain the player when he saw him scoring a goal and delivering an assist during this game.
Erding, on his side, was still determined to leave, as he said to Frédéric Antonetti. « He told me that He wanted to come but Paris didn’t want to let him go », the Rennes coach explained to L’Équipe . Despite the reduced playing-time he seems likely to obtain this year, the Turkish forward accepted the club’s decision. « Mevlüt respects his employer, and he accepts its decision. », a source close to Erding affirmed to Le Parisien.

In Rennes, Antonetti was of course « disappointed » by this turnaround which is « a pity for us and for the player », who will therefore not have the playing-time promised by Stade Rennes. « Paris should think, asserts Antonetti. If I was Erding, I would not stay in Paris. I’m sure that he will not take part in Paris Saint-Germain’s adventure. Having said this, I have got forwards and I will continue with them ».