The Qatari says he turned down the chance to sign the new Manchester United winger because of Real Madrid’s asking price, while he has also lashed out at Michel Platini over FFP
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has claimed that Angel Di Maria wanted to move to the Parc des Princes.
The Argentina international joined Manchester United from Real Madrid for a British-record €84 million but explained in an open letter to Blancos fans that his desire had been to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu but that he felt he had been left with no other choice but to depart.
Al-Khelaifi has now alleged that Di Maria’s first preference was a transfer to PSG but that the Ligue 1 champions were unwilling to meet the asking price.
“Di Maria wanted to come to Paris but even without FFP (Financial Fair Play), we wouldn’t have signed him,” he told Le Parisien.
However, while Al-Khelaifi insisted that adhering to Uefa’s financial regulations did not put PSG off signing Di Maria, he did launch a bitter attack on the European game’s governing body and its president.
“I do not know if Michel Platini wants to kill French football, but FFP is not fair,” the Qatari fumed.
“It is very difficult to understand. The big clubs stay big and small clubs remain small.
“We respect the rules but want to discuss it with Uefa in October to try to change the rules a little.
“Otherwise investors will not come in football; they will go to other sports such as Formula 1.”
FFP was introduced by Uefa with the stated goal of curbing the allegedly excessive spending of Europe’s clubs.
