Leandro Paredes is not expected to remain at Juventus beyond the end of the season, with the Bianconeri reluctant to convert his loan from Paris Saint-Germain into a permanent deal.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the midfielder will leave Serie A and return to PSG to play in Ligue 1in the summer, barring an unforeseen turn of events in the second half of the season. Juventus will look elsewhere for depth in midfield for the 2023/24 season.
Paredes featured 13 times across all competitions for Juventus in the first half of the season and before the World Cup break. He then went to Qatar and helped Argentina to be crowned world champions for the third time in their history and first time since 1986.
Juventus not ready to meet PSG’s valuation
Paredes arrived at the Allianz Stadium in August on a one-year loan, but Juventus have the option to buy him outright for €20 million at the end of the campaign.
However, the Bianconeri are currently unwilling to meet that figure and there is little reason to suggest that they will change their stance on Paredes‘ valuation currently.
The former AS Roma midfielder currently earns €7m per season and this is another factor in Juventus‘ reluctance to sign him outright, with his wage demands beyond what the Turin club would be happy to offer.
World Cup winner yet to return to Italy
Paredes is due to return to Juventus after a holiday following his efforts in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he emerged victorious with Argentina.
The 28-year-old appeared in all but two of the Albiceleste’s matches as they went on to become world champions, and scored in the penalty shootout as Argentina defeated France in the final.
However, neither Paredes nor compatriot Angel Di Maria have returned to Turin for training and are still celebrating in Argentina, putting their availability for upcoming Serie A matches against Cremonese and Udinese in doubt.
In contrast, Argentina forwards Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martinez have already returned to AS Roma and Inter respectively.
