“They never gave up on me until the very end”: Pape Gueye reveals how PSG tried to sign him

Paris Saint-Germain had been tracking Pape Gueye for a long time before the Senegalese international finally chose to join Le Havre.

In an interview with L’Équipe, the Villarreal player reflected on the Parisian club’s interest whilst he was still playing for Le Blanc-Mesnil. Before continuing his development in Normandy, Pape Gueye had already caught PSG’s eye. The club from the French capital had even offered him the chance to come for a trial. However, the young player did not take up that invitation.

The Senegalese midfielder had instead opted for the Le Havre project, won over by the reputation of its academy.

“When I was playing at Blanc-Mesnil, I even remember that PSG had sent me an invitation to come for a trial, but I never went. I preferred to choose Le Havre because the academy had a very good reputation.

“Before I went into the office in Le Havre to sign my contract, I remember my former agent showing me a text message from PSG’s youth recruitment manager.

“They never gave up on me until the very end.”