by Jojo Malig, abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Azkals prospect Alphonse Areola has extended his contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) up to 2016.
The 18-year-old goalkeeper, which is being reportedly eyed by Azkals team manager Dan Palami to challenge Neil Etheridge as the Philippines' No. 1, joined PSG through its youth academy.
Areola signed a professional contract at the age of 16, the youngest to turn pro in French football history.
PSG did not disclose the financial terms of his new contract.
The deal is seen as PSG's effort to secure Areola to a long-term deal following reported interest on the teen by English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Areola has yet to make his first-team debut for PSG and is currently second choice behind the team's new Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
He has earned 4 international caps with France's under-18 side. He has been tipped to become both PSG's and France's future No. 1, according to French media.
Under FIFA rules, Areola can play for the Philippine Azkals as long as he is not yet capped for the senior Les Bleus.
The Clairefontaine-trained goalkeeper had an impressive pre-season with PSG, notching clean sheets in the team's wins over Italian side AS Roma (3-0) and Argentinian giants Boca Juniors (3-0).
PSG are being tipped as one of the title favorites in the French top league in the coming season.
The club was recently bought by Qatar Sports Investments, which has brought in cash and 7 new players including the 42-million-euro Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore.
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