Last season, Paris Saint-Germain had surprised everyone by recruiting Matvey Safonov in exchange for € 20 million. A very high price for a doorman supposed to play the role of lining of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Russian had for a time displayed his desire to fight with the Italian for the status of holder, but very quickly, Luis Enrique had known how to satisfy the two men. Apart from the hiccup against Bayern Munich in the Champions League (Safonov had been established in response to the Donnarumma dumplings, but had hole against the Germans), the Spanish coach had been able to run.
“Gigio” remained number 1, before becoming unstoppable after a year 2025 XXL and Safonov was still able to play 17 games. A total of correct meetings when you know that a replacement goalkeeper must often be satisfied with the few cutting matches to take the light. But this summer, everything can still change. Lucas Chevalier came to take the place of holder in Donnarumma, making almost inevitable a departure of the Italian if the latter wants to arrive in good conditions at the World 2026. But nothing has moved. What add uncertainty about the status of Safonov, if Donnarumma remains in Paris. For the Russian, doubts about his Parisian future have also intensified with the arrival of the Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi.
The Russians distance themselves from the Zabarnyi rumor
Can the two men cohabit in a very difficult geopolitical context between their two countries? Last June, when Safonov was asked about the rumors of his departure linked to the arrival of Zabarnyi, the Parisian porter had been clear. “When has this news been broadcast?” The night? I was sleeping. I think it should be believed that information from official media. The rest is unworthy of faith. “ Since then, Safonov has indeed been announced on the departure, the name of Galatasaray has even been cited as possible point of fall. In Russia, this file is necessarily followed carefully and the opinions diverge, even if the media focuses more on the purely sporting aspect of the situation of the former Krasnodar goalkeeper, rather than on the scenario of a Russian-Ukrainian war within the Parisian wardrobe.
“”First of all, it should be noted that we perceive rumors the rumors that Zabarnyi has required Parisian bosses that they sell Matvey. In other words, we speculate, fantasize, but keep a distance from this information“Wrote Sleeping sport yesterday. So let’s go back to the sportsman. For having been the lining of the Russian legend Lev Yachine in the team of the ex-USSR, Anzor Kavazashvili (85) invited Safonov to no longer remain in the shadow of the future number 1 porter of PSG. “”What Safonov knows how to do as a goalkeeper, he will forget it once on the bench. And the fact that it is put in the cut has no value. A goalkeeper needs to train: if he is constantly playing in the first team, he becomes stronger. Without playing, Safonov will not become stronger, and he should have changed his team for a long time, where he would play in the first team“, He said to Metaracts.ru.
A new courtier for Safonov?
For his part, the Portuguese agent well established in Russia, Paulo Barbosa, does not think the same. “”Safonov has a chance to play PSG, but he should calmly wait for his luck. Matvey has been with the team for a year, but he has already played in the main workforce. He clearly did not play many games, but Safonov should fight for a place in the team. Matvey needs to play, but at PSG, he must prove his level each time. If Safonov decides to leave, he should be loaned, where he will play regularly. In my opinion, it would be a mistake. Matvey should stay at PSG or be loaned to another French club, then come back. Donnarumma is unlikely to stay in Paris“, He told RB Sport.
What to do with Safonov? Sleeping sport looked at this case and quotes a future in MLS or a return to Russia. Only problem, the local media believes that the porter would go to pre-retirement in the United States and that a comeback in the country would only be possible in Zenit, the only training capable of assuming such an operation. His former FK Krasnodar club does not seem a very credible destination since the one who was at the time his lining, Stanislav Agkatsev, perfectly replaced it and became international Russian. Football24.ru gave a slightly different version concerning a return to Russia since the media ensures that the Spartak Moscow would be interested and that Safonov would be open to a return to Russia. Who says true? For the moment, as long as the Donnarumma case is not settled, the vagueness will continue. Note however that Matvey Safonov does not have the pressure to have to find absolutely a club where to play regularly at one year from the 2026 World Cup since Russia was excluded from the competition. Business to follow …
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