PSG Deny Edinson Cavani €1M Penalty Payment Report

Paris Saint-Germain have denied reports that striker Edinson Cavani turned down a potential €1 million bonus to allow team-mate Neymar to take penalties.

According to El Pais (h/t Matt McGinn of AS), PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was ready to offer the Uruguay striker an improved deal on the basis the Brazilian would be on set-piece duties and that Cavani finished the Ligue 1 season as the competition's top goalscorer, but the PSG No. 9 turned down the offer.

Per Le Parisien (h/t Jonathan Johnson of ESPN FC), the capital club have dismissed those suggestions:

El Pais also reported there is an "atmosphere of tension" in the PSG dressing room between the South American superstars. Ben Grounds of MailOnline provided more details of what is included in the report.

"Cavani, according to El Pais, is not interested in being given extra money and is refusing to change his stance on being the penalty-taker, believing that as the club's third captain in line, he has responsibilities he must shoulder," he wrote.

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Spanish football journalist Colin Millar also relayed segments of the report, including suggestions Dani Alves held a "reconciliation" dinner that was akin to a "funeral":

There has been a focus on Neymar and Cavani since a recent 2-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais, as the duo were seen bickering over who should take a penalty. The latter got his way, but the pair had to be separated from one another in the dressing room after the match, according to L'Equipe.

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The issue has been a major blemish on an otherwise positive spell for PSG. After all, there is so much excitement at the club following the summer acquisitions of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

PSG started the 2017-18 campaign well, but they were disappointing on Saturday in the 0-0 draw against Montpellier HSC; Neymar sat out the match with a knock. As Johnson noted, it wasn't the best day for Cavani:

While tension between big personalities is understandable in a competitive environment, the issue appears to have extended beyond a simple disagreement. Those in positions of power at the club will consequently be keen to smooth over any angst that lingers.

On the field, things have been positive for the pair, as they have showcased encouraging signs in terms of their linkup play. But for PSG supporters, the relationship between two of their star forwards represents a concern and something that will be focused on in the weeks to come.