Blaise Matuidi responds to Manchester United interest as Jose Mourinho looks to pair PSG ace with Paul Pogba
France midfielder has chance to win Euro 2016 on Sunday but could also be set for big-money move to Old Trafford
BLAISE MATUIDI insists he’s solely focused on helping France win Euro 2016 after being linked with a move to Manchester United.
The Paris Saint-Germain star reportedly flew to England for transfer talks at the start of the week, with United allegedly ready to offer cash plus veteran German Bastian Schweinsteiger in exchange for his services.
Considered a key man under Laurent Blanc at the Parc des Princes, Matuidi’s future at PSG is now under the spotlight following the arrival of new boss Unai Emery.
The former Sevilla chief is expected to switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation – which will apparently see Marco Verratti partner new signing Grzegorz Krychowiak in midfield – and Matuidi is facing the axe.
New Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho is also said to be pursuing a £100million world-record deal for Juventus star Paul Pogba, but media outlet claims The Special One wants Matuidi to join his compatriot at Old Trafford next season.
The 29-year-old will reportedly hold talks with Emery next week – where he is expected to be told he is surplus to requirements in the capital – and United could clinch his signature with a bid of around £26m.
But with France aiming to get the better of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in Sunday's final, Matuidi admits he is not thinking about switching clubs – for the time being.
When asked by reporters about Mourinho’s interest, he said: “I am French before everything. It is not the time for that question. I am 100 per cent for the Euro and concentrating on it.
“I am living in an exceptional moment that perhaps we will not live again in our lives. I am living it very proudly. I am still under contract with PSG and it stops there.”
Matuidi has also backed teammate Antoine Griezmann to fire Didier Deschamps’ men to glory at the Stade de France tomorrow evening, with the Atletico Madrid man leading the tournament’s goal-scoring charts with six strikes in as many games.