Marcel Brands is happy that he did not let Johan Bakayoko leave for Paris Saint-Germain last transfer period. The Parisians had an amount of ten million euros left to bring the young Belgian to France, but the general manager of PSV thought that was not enough. Brands considered the amount disproportionate to Bakayoko’s age and potential, he says in the radio program The Friday Move by Wilfred Genee.
Two days before the transfer window closed L’Equipe PSG’s interest in Bakayoko. It Eindhovens Dagblad added not much later that the French had made an offer of no less than fifteen million euros for the only nineteen-year-old wing attacker, which was rejected by PSV. Brands, however, contradicts the amount of the offer. “We couldn’t get fifteen million for Bakayoko, but we could get ten,” said the director.
He still supports his decision to keep Bakayoko in Eindhoven. “This not only fits the vision because he is still developing, but also because he is only 19 years old, has had one great year in the KKD and is now developing in the first team,” says Brands. “It was not the time. It was a bit difficult for him, because it is not just a club but Paris Saint-Germain, but we have now extended his contract and I think this is a good thing.”
Bakayoko has been working harder at PSV since the failed transfer. In his last five matches within the national borders, the teenager has scored no less than four hits and two assists. However, he rarely completes the ninety minutes so far. Coach Ruud van Nistelrooij only left Bakayoko the entire match against FC Groningen (6-0 win) this calendar year. Bakayoko will remain in the Philips Stadium until mid-2026.