PSG paid 20 million euros for Safonov’s transfer from Krasnodar
French Paris Saint-Germain announced the transfer of Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov. This is reported on the club’s website.
The Russian’s contract with the Parisian club runs until the summer of 2029. According to insiders, the transaction amount was 20 million euros.
Thus, Safonov’s transfer to PSG became a record for the French championship – no club had previously paid so much for a goalkeeper. In addition to the transfer of the Russian, the top 3 includes the transfer of Keylor Navas to PSG (15 million euros) and Benjamin Lecomte to Monaco (13.5 million euros).
Safonov had problems with his visa, which is why the transfer announcement was postponed
The day before the official announcement of the transfer of the Russian goalkeeper, RB Sport wrote that Safonov had problems obtaining a work visa. According to the publication, this was the reason for the delay in the transfer.
“It may take some more time. But all parties hope that Safonov will eventually receive permission to work in France,” said a source familiar with the situation.
It was noted that the goalkeeper had already passed a medical examination at the new club.
There are no medical problems, the medical examination was completed without problems
Safonov was banned from leaving Russia due to alimony debts
On June 7, reports appeared that Safonov’s transfer to PSG was in jeopardy, despite the substantial interest from the French club. The problem was the football player’s alimony debts. It turned out that the goalkeeper owed his ex-wife Anastasia Kazachek 60 million rubles. Because of this, he was blocked from leaving Russia. Matvey himself called this information simple rumors. However, he refused to confirm or deny the reports that had appeared.
Photo: Alexey Filippov / RIA Novosti
On June 11, journalist Ivan Karpov wrote that the goalkeeper’s ban on leaving the country had been lifted. However, later information appeared that instead of 60 million, Safonov paid his ex-wife only 22 thousand rubles. She personally contacted PSG with a request to block the transfer.
The Baza Telegram channel reported that at the end of May Safonov filed a police report against his ex-wife. According to the source, the football player accused his ex-wife of stealing money from a bank card several years ago. He told the police that back in 2021, when he and Anastasia were married, the girl allegedly stole 800 thousand rubles from his card.
Russian football supported Safonov’s decision to continue his career at PSG
Opinions are divided on whether Safonov should have agreed to move to PSG. For example, Dynamo Moscow striker Fedor Smolov said that there is nothing to even think about.
If there is an offer and everyone is happy with everything, then you should definitely move on. You have one career and one chance to move to PSG. This is what you will tell your grandchildren
Former goalkeeper of Spartak Moscow and the USSR national team Rinat Dasaev stated that he sees the point in Safonov’s transfer only if he is ready to compete with the main goalkeeper of the Parisians, Gianluigi Donnaruma.
There is no point in going to second roles and sitting on the bench. It’s better to play here all the time
Andrei Arshavin noted that Safonov will always have time to return. “To move from Krasnodar to PSG for 20 million is super cool. It will be necessary to congratulate Sergei Galitsky that his school produced such an excellent goalkeeper,” noted the former forward of London Arsenal and the Russian national team.
Throughout his club career, Safonov played for Krasnodar
Safonov was born on February 25, 1999 in Stavropol, but is a graduate of the Krasnodar football school. Since 2020, the goalkeeper has been the team captain. During his time with the Bulls, he played 175 matches for the club. Last season, he played a big role in Krasnodar finishing second in the Russian Premier League (RPL), losing only to Zenit St. Petersburg.
Photo: Vitaly Timkiv / RIA Novosti
As for performances for the Russian national team, Safonov was involved in junior national teams from the age of 15. On June 1, 2021, he made his debut for the main team in a friendly match with the Polish national team. In June of the same year, the goalkeeper played two matches for the national team at Euro 2020. He currently has 14 matches with the Russian national team.
Source: Lenta
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