Ruben Amorim has been dealt a bitter blow as Nuno Mendes looks to reject a move to Manchester United.
Mendes had emerged as one of United's top targets for this month's transfer window. Amorim are desperate for a new left-back with Luke Shaw injured again and Tyrell Malacia out of favour.
At the top of his shopping list was Mendes, who previously played under him at Sporting Lisbon. Mendes helped Sporting double the Primeira Liga and Taca da Liga titles in 2021 before joining PSG that summer.
Although he has had a successful time in Paris so far, this season has been more difficult for the Portugal international. He has struggled for game time in Ligue 1, leading to suggestions he could move on this month.
But according to L'Équipe, the 21-year-old has 'closed the door' on a possible departure from the Parc des Princes. Instead, he sees himself staying in the French capital for the foreseeable future.
His entourage now believes he can sign a new contract to reinforce his commitment to PSG. A deal for Mendes was difficult for United to negotiate and now appears dead in the water.
It is claimed that PSG boss Luis Enrique was instrumental in convincing Mendes to commit his future to Les Parisiens. The former Barcelona boss is said to see the left-back as a big part of his plans and has insisted he now has doubts surrounding Mendes.
“I think he's on the same page as always. It's a question for him, not for me. I see him doing very well,” Enrique said on Friday when asked about Mendes' future. “It is an objective that cannot be achieved within one, two or three years.
“There are limits, there are players leaving. But we would like to have two players per position, even though we know that is almost impossible. Kind regards, I think the team is in one of the best moments of the season, with what I see, especially in training.”
Amorim recently played down the chances of United bringing in new recruits this month. Instead, the United boss is prioritizing working with the players already at Old Trafford.
“I don't remember saying clearly that I want new players,” Amorim said ahead of the win over Arsenal. “What I said is that sometimes the profile of this system is different and the players come here with a different idea of how to play.
“I don't remember saying so clearly that I want new players. Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players we are building for this club, but we know the position the club is in at the moment .”
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