Decathlon outlines plan to keep Paul Seixas amid transfer interest

The 19-year-old’s future has become one of the biggest stories of the transfer market following a remarkable first half of 2026 and his subsequent Tour de France debut, where he finished fourth overall behind Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel and Isaac Del Toro.

Seixas entered the race carrying significant expectations but quickly proved he could compete with the best riders in the world. He remained in contention for the white jersey for much of the Tour and, despite fading slightly during the final mountain stages, finished just outside the podium in his first Grand Tour.

His performances have only increased interest from rival teams, with his current contract at Decathlon CMA CGM running until the end of 2027.

Visma | Lease a Bike CEO Richard Plugge publicly expressed his admiration for Seixas during the Tour, while Q36.5-Pinarello were reported to be preparing an offer worth around €13 million per season. UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Netcompany-Ineos have also been linked with the Frenchman.

Decathlon CMA CGM, however, remain confident that Seixas will stay.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Decathlon general manager Dominique Serieys said the team planned to begin negotiations between mid August and early September, once Seixas had recovered from the Tour.

“Unlike the teams trying to compete with us for his signature, there is no pressure and no fixed timetable between us,” Serieys said.

“First, Paul will take at least two weeks to recharge with his friends and family before returning to training. Then, sometime between mid August and early September, we will open discussions.”

Serieys believes much of the urgency surrounding Seixas’ future has been created outside the team.

“The pressure around this story is coming from the media and is also being fuelled by those who are trying to attract him,” he said. “I insist that we remain very calm. Paul wanted the subject kept out of the way during the Tour, and we will deal with what comes next later.”

The French team are already preparing to strengthen the squad around Seixas. Serieys revealed that four or five new signings will be announced in September as Decathlon attempt to build a team capable of supporting him in the biggest races.

“We have identified the components we need and how the team has to evolve,” Serieys said. “Today, a team is built with a lot of support riders, and not only for the Tour de France.”

Serieys then delivered his clearest message to Seixas ahead of the negotiations.

“The conviction Paul needs to have, and that we already have, is that he will win with us,” he said. “He has already won races. We will continue to strengthen so that we can be better than the others.”

The arrival of Romain Bardet as head of the team’s sporting department is also viewed as an important part of that project.

Serieys stressed that Seixas’ age gives both rider and team time to develop their partnership, even if the next agreement runs for several seasons.

“People need to remember that Paul is 19,” he said. “Whatever the length of the renewal, whether it is three years or five, he will only be 23 or 24 at the end of it.”

Seixas himself attempted to distance himself from the rumours halfway the Tour, insisting that several reports about his future were inaccurate.

“As I said, I don’t have social media, so I don’t see much,” Seixas told France TV’s Vélo Club. “But first of all, there are quite a lot of things I have heard about that are false.”

The Frenchman acknowledged the growing attention but refused to confirm the figures being reported.

“Honestly, I think with everything that is going on around me, there is obviously a buzz. I can’t deny that,” he said. “But I’m not going to say that there are enormous contracts, as we have seen reported. For now, I am staying focused on what I am doing in cycling.”

He also made clear that he was not in a rush to make a decision.

“I haven’t seen the contracts yet,” Seixas said. “I still have another full year with the team next season, so I have time to think about what I want for my future. In any case, you can see that within the team I am well supported.”

That support will now be central to Decathlon's pitch. Seixas’ fourth place at the Tour has transformed him from one of cycling’s brightest prospects into a genuine Grand Tour contender, and the French team know the fight to keep him is only likely to intensify.

Serieys’ message is clear: France’s best hope of a first Tour de France victory since Bernard Hinault does not need to change teams to achieve it.