"If Paul doesn't want to stay, that's his decision" - Decathlon ready for negotiation battle against UAE for Paul Seixas

The potential move of Paul Seixas to UAE Team Emirates - XRG in the near future is not a rumour or something to be cast aside. Decathlon CMA CGM Team is fully aware that their French diamond, despite still having two seasons of contract remaining, is already being 'hunted down' by UAE Team Emirates - XRG. But the French team is ready to pull out all the stops to prevent that from happening. For Decathlon and title sponsor CMA CGM, losing Seixas to a foreign team would be a significant blow to their 'French identity' project, especially given his potential to end the nation's long Tour de France drought.

Having Seixas to begin with is already a success for the French team, who have already worked with the 19-year-old since a very young age to secure him. Recently, Patrick Lefevere revealed how he was close to putting a deal on paper to bring him to Soudal - Quick-Step's ranks years ago. But above all, a report from Het Laatste Nieuws hinted at UAE Team Emirates - XRG's interest in Seixas, and a pause in negotiations due to the extreme increase in his value over the past few months.

This is accurate. In an interview with Daniel Benson, Decathlon CMA CGM Team's manager Dominique Serieys has confirmed that this is currently a topic of discussion within the team. “Honestly, I'm confident. If Paul doesn't want to stay, that's his decision. That's why I'm confident. But if he has faith in our project, then we'll continue together".

It has been said that negotiations could resume after the end of the spring classics, the end of his current block of racing. However, with a Tour de France debut likely on the horizon for this summer, his value and potential could vary a lot, depending on his results and ability to already ride a full Grand Tour within his abilities.

Hence it is a tricky situation for the French team, who are aware that such a talent could receive an offer of several million euros, but need both the financial capacity and commitment from within the team to support his ambitions.

“But honestly, we're in no rush. We're thinking about a long-term contract, because Decathlon CMA CGM's vision for the future goes beyond three years. It needs to be longer. Our vision for the future must go beyond 2030, towards 2035, and not many teams can offer that," he puts out as a strong argument.

However at UAE Team Emirates - XRG, there is a budget of somewhere between €55 and €60 million euros a season, whilst the team has, in Tadej Pogacar, the highest salary in pro cycling - estimated to be around €8 million a season.

The French team has significantly increased its budget as well into 2026, estimated to be around €40 million, which significantly increases its chances of maintaining Seixas, something that would likely not have been possible a few years back. However, it is a game that has to be played carefully, and the offers will be high from both sides. Most likely, Seixas' future will be defined by the upcoming fall, but where he will race from the 2028 season onwards is a big question.

"UAE Emirates XRG is the richest team, and I have enormous respect for Mauro Gianetti, but they don't make all the decisions," Serieys warns. "We will be at the negotiating table. We can count on great support, and we won't play games."