Draxler leaves PSG for Al-Ahli, while Sirigu joins OGC Nice

Julian Draxler

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The German midfielder Julian Draxler has completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Qatari side Al-Ahli SC, while former PSG goalie Salvatore Sirigu also completed a move to OGC Nice as a free agent.

It was reported that the Paris club could get a fee of just under €10m from the deal.

The German has, therefore, ended his six-year stay at the club, joining his former teammate Marco Verratti in making the move to Qatar.

It was gathered that the German international had been hesitant about making the move, having asked for time to decide his future.

L’Équipe reported that Draxler wanted to make his decision over family concerns, but he ultimately opted to honor his agreement and join the Qatari club, becoming the last big-name player to leave Par de Princes.

Le Parisien reported that PSG had received between €8m-9m for Draxler, who had just one year remaining on his contract with Les Parisiens.

This is significantly below the €20m fee quoted in the German media but still a sizeable amount given the German contract situation, having been declared surplus to requirement.

Draxler made 198 appearances, scored 26 goals, and made 41 assists for the Ligue 1 giant.

In another development, Sirigu has been a free agent, having spent last season as a backup keeper at Fiorentina.

The 36-year-old Italian arrives at Nice and has been in the market for a backup for uncontested number one Marcin Bulka since deadline day.

The Polish goalkeeper became the number one after beating former Leicester City man Kasper Schmeichel to win the trust of Franceso Farioli.

This forced the Danish goalie to terminate his deal, with one year remaining on deadline day.

Sirigu has been training with the club for the past fortnight while the medical staff ascertained his physical level.
He was among those on the bench as Nice beat PSG, his former club, 3-2 at the Parc des Princes but has now officially joined Les Aiglons.

It is now left for the club to confirm the Italian contract length.

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