Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Which coach says no to Messi? PSG boss Thomas Tuchel responds to transfer talk after Champions League defeat

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel admits his side must strengthen their squad after being pushed on reported interest in Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

PSG were second best in Sunday's Champions League Final, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich with former player Kingsley Coman scoring the winner.

The contest was Thiago Silva's last game for the club - with Chelsea reportedly close to signing the Brazilian - with a number of players moving on from Parc de Princes in recent weeks.

Tuchel admits his side could stand to take a leaf out of Bayern's book in terms of their recruitment and admitted additions are needed ahead of a gruelling 2020-21 season.

"Honestly, we lost Edinson Cavani, Thomas Meunier and now Thiago Silva. its a lot of players," Tuchel told BT Sport. "When I see like Bayern, investing in the squad and keeping the squad together, if we want to compete at this level, we have to use the transfer window now.

"The next season It will be very demanding with no winter break and we start again on Saturday. If we want to keep the level we have to build a strong, strong squad."

Pushed on whether Messi could be part of those plans, Tuchel said: "Which coach says no to Messi?!

"We decided not to talk about transfers in this period. We will sit together in the next days and discuss. we have many things to improve in the squad. I think Messi finishes his career in Barcelona, he is Barcelona."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.