Paris Saint-Germain denied that Edinson Cavani was offered €1 million by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to allow Neymar to take penalties.
A Spanish newspaper reported that Cavani currently has a €1m bonus clause in his contract if he finishes top scorer in Ligue 1 but that PSG chairman and CEO Al-Khelaifi had made an offer — via an intermediary — that would allow him to claim the bonus regardless on the proviso he gave up his status as designated penalty taker. The Spanish newspaper said Cavani rejected the offer.
Neymar and Cavani had a public spat over the taking of a penalty in the Ligue 1 game against Lyon last week, which PSG went on to win 2-0. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has now spent time with Cavani and his representatives to try and figure out a deal, but has been unsuccessful so far.
PSG players, according to the report, are backing the former Palermo man as it was him who was the designated penalty taker before the arrival of the Brazilian for a world record fee from FC Barcelona.
Speaking about the issue last week, PSG boss Unai Emery said: ‘I have told them to sort it out between themselves.I think that they are capable of doing that and that they will both be our kickers. If they cannot reach an agreement, I will decide for them.I do not want this to become a problem for us.’
In their first match after the incident, PSG dropped their first league points of the season, away to Montpellier, as they were held to a goalless draw. Neymar missed the match due to a toe injury.
