Striker Marcus Thuram rejected PSG to join Inter Milan during the summer transfer window because he wanted guarantees of a starting role.
This according to French newspaper Le Parisien, via FCInterNews.
This summer, Thuram had been entirely free to choose which club he wanted to join.
The Frenchman’s contract with Borussia Monchengladbach ran out at the end of June. So the only question regarding his future was which team would end up convincing him.
And Thuram had quite a few suitors.
Naturally, with a player of the 26-year-old’s quality available without a transfer fee, plenty of big European clubs took interest.
But once this summer transfer window was underway, there were in effect three clubs vying for Thuram’s signature most strongly.
One was, of course, Inter. And the Nerazzurri’s city rivals AC Milan were also keen to sign the Frenchman.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain also reportedly wanted Thuram.
The club from the French capital would be in some respects a natural destination for a French player like Thuram.
And reportedly PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe tried to personally convince the Frenchman to join.
But in the end Thuram decided on Inter.
Marcus Thuram Rejected PSG & Chose Inter Milan For Playing Time
According to Le Parisien, Thuram did consider PSG’s interest.
However, the key doubt that the striker had concerned playing time.
From Thuram’s perspective, one of his main priorities for the summer was to join a club where he would have a very strong chance of securing a regular place in the starting eleven.
At PSG, that was a bit of a doubt.
The French champions have a strong complement of attacking options. That is the case even with the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
However, at Inter the departure of Edin Dzeko effectively cleared the way for Inter.
The Nerazzurri persuaded Thuram that he would be able to get plenty of playing time and be at the centre of their project.
