Luis Enrique opens door to winter attacking reinforcements after Kvaratskhelia injury
Luis Enrique, at a press conference on Saturday, October 24, 2026, did not rule out a winter signing of a forward to compensate for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's prolonged absence.
Key takeaways
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (winger) suffers a cruciate ligament rupture and will be out for at least six months after the PSG 4-2 Barcelona meeting on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
- Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain head coach) said on Saturday, October 24, 2026 that a January offensive signing remained possible but not automatic.
- Sporting director Luis Campos will be responsible for identifying a potential transfer opportunity if PSG decides to recruit this winter.
- The attacking options cited by the club include Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Torres, Maghnes Akliouche and Arthur Godts, but Kvaratskhelia's profile is considered special.
Luis Enrique, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain, admitted on Saturday, October 24, 2026 that a reinforcing forward during the winter transfer window remained a possibility for the club, without making it an obligation.
Luis Enrique's statements
In a press conference 48 hours before hosting Olympique Lyonnais, Luis Enrique explained that the occurrence of an injury does not automatically create a recruitment imperative. He did, however, indicate that the club would stay attentive to the market and that the arrival of a forward in January would be feasible if an opportunity that matches the sporting and financial criteria was identified by sporting director Luis Campos.
Luis Enrique recalled that the current squad already had several attacking options: Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Torres, Maghnes Akliouche and Arthur Godts. He stressed that Kvaratskhelia's profile was particular within the group and that an exact replacement would be difficult, hence the possibility of a targeted reinforcement if the conditions were met.
Conditional option and financial prudence
The coach tempered any immediate spending outlook: the January purchase hypothesis would depend on a “good opportunity” and a price considered reasonable by the sporting management. The message is therefore cautious: the club does not rule out action, but does not intend to rush if the market does not present a player who ticks all the boxes.
List of events and cited elements
- Injury: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, cruciate ligament rupture, minimum unavailability announced: six months.
- Match linked to the injury: Paris Saint-Germain 4-2 Barcelona, Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (Champions League).
- Attacking options cited: Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Torres, Maghnes Akliouche, Arthur Godts.
- Transfer decision: possibility opened by Luis Enrique, dependent on the work of sporting director Luis Campos and market conditions.
PSG hosts Olympique Lyonnais on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. at the Parc des Princes; the press conference took place two days before this match.
Your questions, our answers
Why is PSG considering recruiting this winter?
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's cruciate ligament rupture, announced after PSG 4-2 Barcelona on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, creates a potential gap in attack for a long period.
Did Luis Enrique demand a new player for January?
No, Luis Enrique said on Saturday, October 24, 2026 that a recruitment is not mandatory but he remains open if a good opportunity arises.
Who will decide on a potential transfer?
Sporting director Luis Campos is tasked with scouting the market and proposing opportunities to the club if a suitable profile and an acceptable price emerge.