Emery admits Matuidi could leave PSG despite wishes to keep player

Blaise Matuidi could leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer after speaking with manager Unai Emery about a potential lack of playing time.

The newly appointed PSG boss told reporters ahead of Sunday's friendly against Inter that he hopes to keep Matuidi at the club. But the reigning Ligue 1 champion has 11 midfielders at the moment, and it's unclear whether the 29-year-old would appreciate a smaller role.

ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney documented interest in Matuidi from Manchester United earlier in the month, and although negotiations for compatriot Paul Pogba are well underway, the Red Devils are said to be keen on signing both French internationals.

Matuidi is on vacation after representing Les Bleus at Euro 2016, but he apparently found time to contact Emery in recent weeks to discuss his future. New arrivals Grzegorz Krychowiak and Hatem Ben Arfa will make it harder for Matuidi to play on a regular basis, but that doesn't mean Emery's ready to cash in.

"Matuidi is a fantastic footballer and he belongs to PSG," Emery said, according to ESPN FC. "We're waiting for him. He's a great footballer and logically I don't want to dispense with great footballers.

"We've spoken about how there are a lot of midfielders and that there could be a situation in a given moment that the player could leave, but of course, I as coach am behind him. The circumstances could change that, but in principle, it's not what I want."

Matuidi joined PSG in 2011, making no fewer than 23 starts in any Ligue 1 campaign since then. He has emerged as a complete midfielder who can make interceptions as well as he can make passes.

He's also a client of super agent Mino Raiola, who's been one of the busiest men in football over the past couple of months. He helped orchestrate Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan's moves to United, and he's working on Pogba right now.

Raiola has a habit of finalising big deals for his clients, and Matuidi could be the next.

The player currently has two more years remaining on his PSG contract.