PSG deny reports of €1m offer to Cavani to give set-pieces to Neymar

Psg have denied recent reports that club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi offered Edison Cavani €1m worth of bonuses to relinquish the set-piece duties so that Neymar could takeover.

A report from El Pais claimed that Al-Khelaifi offered the sum of money to Cavani and that the Uruguayan international rejected the offer. However, reports have now emerged stating that the club has denied that the offer was ever made.

Neymar arrived at the Parc Des Princes from Barcelona in the summer for a world record fee of £198m and made an instant impact at the club. He has scored four and contributed four assists in his first five Ligue 1 games, and looks to have already formed a formidable partnership with both Cavani and fellow new signing Kylian Mbappe. However, not everything has gone to plan so far for the Parisians.

Cavani and Neymar Bicker over set-pieces

The drama began during PSG’s Ligue 1 meeting with Olympique Lyonnais at the Parc Des Princes. The home side was awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area with a number of contenders as to who would take it.

Replays then showed Dani Alves cradling the ball and pushing Cavani away from him, then handing the ball over to Neymar so that he could take the free-kick. Neymar tested the keeper with the kick, however, there was some clear tension between the two in the following possessions.

Later in the game, PSG was awarded a penalty after Mbappe was wrestled to the ground by Lyon defender Ferland Mendy. It looked as though Cavani wasn’t going to be denied the opportunity to take this set-piece as he picked the ball up and was placing it on the penalty spot. However, Neymar looked to have some choice words for Cavani as he marked his run up, again showing tension between the pair. Cavani saw his penalty saved by Anthony Lopes in the Lyon goal, which wouldn’t help his case for being PSG’s set-piece taker.

PSG went on to win the game 2-0, maintaining their 100% record in Ligue 1 through their first five games. However the drama wasn’t over.

Manager Unai Emery far from impressed

Reports later claimed that the two had to be separated in the changing rooms by players and coaches following the conclusion of the game as the pair got into a heated exchange.

When asked about the incident after the game, manager Unai Emery was far from impressed with the pair, being quoted by BBC Sport saying: "I have told them to sort it out between themselves. I think that they are capable of doing that and that they will both be our kickers. If they cannot reach an agreement, I will decide for them. I do not want this to become a problem for us."

PSG now face a tough test when they face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Emery will be hoping the pair can resolve their differences as the Parisians look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season in all competitions.