Defender’s PSG exit, last-minute deal

Initial transfer plans for players and clubs are not always strictly followed over the summer. This was the case for Danilo Pereira, who, after four seasons with PSG, ended up joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in the final moments of the Saudi transfer window.

Although he likely didn’t realize it at the time, the Portuguese defender was playing his last minutes with Paris Saint-Germain. At 32 years old, the former FC Porto player was entering the final year of his contract and was no longer part of the club’s plans due to his age and playing style.

Luis Enrique preferred to rely on more mobile players who are comfortable technically and under pressure. The acquisitions of Lucas Beraldo last winter and Willian Pacho this summer reinforced the Parisian management’s decision to part ways with Danilo Pereira, aiming to streamline their squad.

Defender’s PSG exit, last-minute deal

The message was clear to the now-former number 15; he understood that he needed to leave quickly. Le Parisien explained:

"Attached to the city and the club, the defender could have clung to his last year of contract, but the prospect of a season without play quickly became unacceptable, and a summer departure became his priority."

In this context, the transfer to Al-Ittihad, a Saudi club coached by Laurent Blanc, was finalized in the closing moments of the Gulf transfer window. After waiting for a €10M fee for weeks, an agreement was reached on Monday, September 2, for approximately €5M according to Le Parisien.

Later that day, Danilo Pereira gave his approval, underwent his medical examination in Porto, and then flew to Riyadh to sign his two-year contract.

Although he was not called up for the first three Ligue 1 matches of the season, Danilo Pereira will have the opportunity in Saudi Arabia to gain significant playing time and play a more prominent role in a squad already featuring players such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Houssem Aouar, Moussa Diaby, and Fabinho.

While he was rarely a unanimous choice on the field, Danilo Pereira has remained a notable figure in PSG’s dressing room in recent years. This transfer perfectly reflects the Parisian management’s focus on youth in their project.