Former Super Eagles and Inter Milan defender, Taribo West, has revealed the presence of Paris Saint-Germain President, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, at the 2024 CAF Awards had a transfer undertone, Soccernet.ng reports.
PSG’s Achraf Hakimi was nominated for the CAF Player of the Year Alongside Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton and Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), and Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/ Atalanta BC).
In a bid to show support to one of his club’s biggest stars, Al-Khelaifi accompanied Hakimi to the CAF Awards hosted in the player’s hometown, Morocco.
While Ademola Lookman took the award home, Taribo West hinted that the President’s presence was a coy move to rekindle interest in the Atalanta superstar. It is worth noting that the Ligue 1 giants were keen on bringing the Atalanta forward to Paris, but nothing concrete happened.
“It’s a wonderful feat and a great compensation for the AFCON he didn’t win. An insider has told me PSG’s interest in Lookman is strong. The presence of the club president at the CAF Awards last night wasn’t just for Hakimi. Ademola Lookman is on PSG’s list. The person I know in Paris called me to convince him to come to PSG.
The president attending the ceremony was not only for Hakimi but also for Lookman,” the former AC Milan defender said in an interview with Brila.
Should PSG attempt to rekindle their interest in the best African Footballer, they’ll be facing strong competition from Liverpool and Manchester United who are set to lock horns next summer for the in-demand forward.