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Published January 13, 2025 11:26am Updated January 13, 2025 11:26am
Luis Enrique had reporters scratching their heads with his cryptic response to the rumours surrounding Randal Kolo Muani’s future following Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-1 win over Saint-Etienne.
Ousmane Dembele scored a pair of first-half goals as PSG preserved their unbeaten start to the season in Ligue 1, with the champions sitting seven points clear of Marseille at the top of the table.
Much of the pre-match discussion centred around Kolo Muani’s continued exclusion from Enrique’s thinking. The 26-year-old France forward was once again left out PSG’s squad having started only two matches in all competitions this season.
Widespread reports indicate that PSG are open to letting Kolo Muani leave on a temporary basis before the January transfer deadline and clubs from around Europe are closely monitoring the situation.
It’s understood Manchester United are among the ‘leading contenders’ to land Kolo Muani on loan, along with Tottenham and Juventus, with the out-of-favour attacker keen for an escape route out of the Parc des Princes.
Facing the media after PSG’s victory, Enrique was directly asked about the speculation – and it’s fair to say his response threw up more questions than answers.
‘I don’t know. The transfer window, for me, is more like the market for fruit, fish, bread,’ the Spaniard replied with a cheeky grin on his face, before adding: ‘I have nothing to say.’
While Dembele stole the headlines with his first-half brace, Enrique made sure to praise his entire squad for their efforts against a spirited Saint-Etienne.
‘We were a bit lost for 15 minutes and Saint-Etienne made things difficult for us,’ the PSG head coach added.
‘We created a lot of chances. We were inspired but we could have scored more goals.
‘You focus on those who scores, but I want to praise the whole team. Right now, it’s Ousmane, before it was Bradley [Barcola]. We have to involve everyone in the celebrations.’
Kolo Muani has made no secret of his frustrations over a lack of regular game-time in Paris, but told Telefoot that he was determined to turn his fortunes around in a recent interview.
‘You have to keep your mental strength up, it’s up to me to continue working so that the coach trusts me. It’s part of my history. I’ve always worked, I’ve never had things easy,’ he told the popular French television programme.
‘I have to work harder, make an impression when he calls on me. It’s up to me to give my all so that he trusts me.’
Asked whether he had considered leaving PSG, Kolo Muani replied: ‘No, I never tried to think about that
‘I have to continue to work, show what I can do and give my all. I must not give up. If you give up, it’s over, you sink.’
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