"PSG continues with plans to part ways with Matvey Safonov, due to his Ukrainian connection."
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been making headlines for the potential departure of Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, but recent reports suggest that the club values him as part of their goalkeeper roster and he wishes to remain at the club [1].
Safonov joined PSG in June 2024 from FK Krasnodar for nearly 20 million euros, and played 17 games in the 2024-2025 season. Initially, he aimed to overtake Gianluigi Donnarumma as first-choice goalkeeper, but Donnarumma's impressive performances kept him in the top spot [1].
Recent developments in PSG's goalkeeping situation include the signing of young goalkeeper Renato Marin and the arrival of Lucas Chevalier, who has already displaced Donnarumma. This dynamic complicates Safonov’s status, but it does not directly mean PSG is releasing him [1][4].
Rumours about Safonov's transfer to Galatasaray surfaced in August, and contact between the two clubs has been established [2][5]. However, the details of any potential deal remain undisclosed.
An additional complexity at PSG is the presence of both Russian international Matvey Safonov and Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi, which has created some geopolitical tension concerns given ongoing conflicts between the countries. However, experts suggest that the professional sporting spirit and intelligence should prevail, and these factors alone are not a primary reason for releasing Safonov [2].
Financially, Safonov earns about €60,000 per week, making him one of the lower earners compared to PSG’s top earners, but this salary does not point to financial pressure driving his release [4].
In the Champions League, PSG, with Safonov on their roster, lost to London's Chelsea in the final (0:3) [3]. Despite his limited playing time, Safonov played 13 games in the tournament, conceding 13 goals and earning seven clean sheets [3].
PSG, along with their opponents, won the French Championship, Cup, and Super Cup during the 2024-2025 season [3]. The club is also reportedly making efforts to make Zabarnyi feel at home, aiming to avoid any potential issues that may arise from photographs with Safonov [2].
In summary, current reports suggest that PSG values Matvey Safonov as part of their goalkeeper roster, he wishes to remain at the club, and there is no confirmed plan to release him; the competition for the starting goalkeeper spot and PSG’s recent signings create uncertainty about his playing time but not about his departure [1][4]. Geopolitical tensions and squad strategy may influence decisions but are not cited as primary reasons to release him [2].
In the ongoing football season, Matvey Safonov, a valuable member of Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) goalkeeper roster, continues to feature in European-leagues and the Premier-league, seeking more playing time amidst the competition with the club's recent signings. Despite the geopolitical tension arising from his nationality and that of fellow player Illia Zabarnyi, experts predict that the professional sportsmanship and intellect of both players will prevail, avoiding any potential issues.
