Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani ‘rejects offer of €1m’ from club to hand over penalty duties to Neymar
Edinson Cavani’s feud with Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar has escalated after the Uruguayan rejected €1million to pass on penalty duties, according to reports in Spain.
Spanish publication El Pais has claimed that Cavani was offered the payment, which amounts to the bonus he would receive should he finish as the club’s top goalscorer in Ligue 1 this season, but the striker has snubbed the sweetener.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the PSG president, has spent the past week in negotiations with Cavani and his representatives in a bid to reach an agreement following the embarrassing public fall-out during the club’s 2-0 win over Lyon on September 18.
Neymar was seen remonstrating with Cavani as they both stood over the spot arguing over who should take the penalty, having earlier squabbled over the taking of a set-piece.
The two forwards, who combined cost the French giants an eye-watering £253million, had seemed to be striking up a potent partnership after the Brazilian’s world-record move from Barcelona this summer.
But L’Equipe reported after the incident that the pair had to be kept apart in the dressing room and while manager Unai Emery has said he will intervene should they row again, it has now been reported that the issue is yet to be resolved.
The Spanish daily claim the PSG squad are backing Cavani on the matter, with the 30-year-old designated as the club’s penalty taker before Neymar’s arrival.
Cavani failed to score the spot-kick following his public disagreement with the Brazilian
Cavani saw the penalty he insisted on taking saved by Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes
His subsequent miss against Lyon could jeopardise his position despite the exceptional circumstances surrounding the spot-kick, but it is his unwillingness to meet his club’s offer that threatens to create a divide within the camp.
Al-Khelaifi had hoped that by offering Cavani €1m he would pacify an increasingly rebellious dressing room, but his attempts were in vain.
Cavani, according to El Pais, is not interested in being given extra money, and is refusing to change his stance on being the penalty taker, believing that as the club’s third captain in line, he has responsibilities he must shoulder.
According to French reports, the row continued after the game in the dressing room
Cavani had insisted he had ‘no problem’ with Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar
Neymar flew to England for London Fashion Week amid a gathering storm back in Paris, while Emery, sporting director Antero Henrique, along with captains Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta all looked to bring an end to the debate.
But the former Barcelona star is said to have been angry upon being told of Cavani’s inflexible position on the subject, and on Friday the Brazilian was ruled out of the weekend’s action due to a foot injury.