The pair are both out of contract at the end of June but will remain with the club until the season is fully completed with the Champions League, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue all still to be resolved.

Between them, they have made more than 600 combined appearances for PSG in all competitions.

"The idea is to continue playing with them until the end of August.

"It was a very difficult decision to make; these are players who have marked the history of the club.

“Their stories were so beautiful. But yes, we are coming to the end.

"We had to make a logical decision, economically speaking and with regard to the generation that is coming through.

“Maybe we are wrong, I do not know, there is never a perfect moment. Now the Champions League is still in sight and the idea is to continue competing with them until the end of August. How it can be done is not yet clear [legally].”

Leonardo also confirmed that Layvin Kurzawa and Thomas Meunier are also likely to leave in the same manner, but this is not yet totally certain.