Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting advisor, Luis Campos, arrived last summer with great promise, handpicked to revolutionize the club’s recruitment strategy in place of Leonardo. However, the latest Kylian Mbappé saga has cast doubt on Campos’ once unassailable position. A decisive moment arose when Campos, contrary to some colleagues, advocated against excluding Mbappé from the PSG pre-season squad during their trip to Japan. This bold move was designed to coerce the French forward into making a decision about his future, but it unwittingly thrust Campos into a precarious situation.
In stark contrast to the usually vocal PSG president, Nasser Al Khelaifi, Campos has chosen a mysterious silence during this controversy. He even counseled Al Khelaifi to adopt pragmatism rather than frustration in handling Mbappé’s situation. As the club cautiously treads to avoid exacerbating existing issues, Campos has found himself somewhat relegated to the shadows, leaving many to question his influence.
Luis Campos’ Shifting Role in PSG’s Recruitment Landscape
Luis Campos’ fingerprints have been evident in PSG’s summer recruitment campaign, orchestrating the arrivals of talents like Marco Asensio, Manuel Ugarte, Milan Škriniar, Cher Ndour, and Kang-In Lee. However, recent developments suggest that his once-central role might be evolving. Notably, signings such as Lucas Hernandéz and Xavi Simons, alongside potential transfers for Ousmane Dembélé, appear to have veered away from Campos’ domain, leaving him somewhat detached.
A crucial factor affecting Campos’ position was the appointment of head coach Christophe Galtier last year. Despite their prior collaboration at Lille, the relationship between the two proved challenging during their first season together at PSG. Fortunately, this year’s partnership with Luis Enrique has presented a more harmonious front, as the duo collaborates to identify and acquire players that fit the club’s vision, especially on the wings.
As the Mbappé saga unfolds, the winds of change loom over Luis Campos and PSG. The extent of his responsibility for the outcome will be closely scrutinized by the club’s hierarchy. Whether PSG secures Mbappé’s future with a contract extension or navigates a summer transfer, Campos’ fate hangs in the balance. A single twist of fate could see this enigmatic sporting advisor departing the Parisian club.
