PSG
PSG want to copy Real Madrid in their transfer policy: who will they sign in the summer? Will Messi stay?
Given Madrid’s recent success, the French team want to copy the European champions in their transfer plans.
Back in June of last year, when Kylian Mbappé's renewal was all signed and sealed, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi dropped a sentence that could have been a sliding doors moment in PSG’s project: “This is the end of the bling-bling”, the Qatari said. The expression is one that is very rarely used in France and refers to luxury, superstars and glamour, and is exactly not what PSG have done over the past year.
With the words of the club president in the minds of those that walk to corridors of the PSG stadium, changes were anticipated by many as regards the transfer policy of the club. The departures of Messi and Sergio Ramos, both without a clear future on the horizon, could give way to a new influx of players. Despite any potential young signing not having even the faintest chance of comparing resumés with the two aforementioned stars, fresh blood could open the door to a new era at the club.
A rocky week for PSG-Mbappé relations
Al-Khelaïfi also recognised that one of PSG’s challenges was to develop the academy, which has produced players like Coman, Nkunku and Diaby. Zaïre-Emery, a 17-year-old centre-midfielder, Gharbi, Bitshiabu and Housni have all seen minutes this season with the first team which means that something is going right with PSG’s production of players.
What is not up for debate for PSG is the potential exit of Kylian Mbappé. In fact it is quite the opposite. After a week of high tension, with the forward already complaining about being underused, the club published his image in season ticket promotional material without his consent. Despite this mess, which Galtier admitted caused an argument between the player and the board, sources reiterate that the Frenchman will not leave PSG and the idea is to continue to build a team around him.
PSG don’t want to fall victim to Real Madrid’s astute transfer dealings
This team will be made up of mostly French players who know the league and can give a sense of identity to the club, something that has been missing over recent years. They don’t want clubs like Real Madrid sweeping up the local talent, such as Mendy, Camavinga, Tchouaméni and even Benzema, back in the day.
In amongst the various objectives that PSG have, headed by Luis Campos, are various talented players that exist on their French-themed shortlist. One name is Khéphren Thuram, a centre-midfielder at Nice who had a fantastic game against PSG in early April. At just 22-years-old, he has a fantastic capacity to break the lines and dribbles in an extraordinary way. Manu Koné, the u-21 France international who plays in midfield for Borussia Monchengladbach, is another name that is currently on the shortlist.
Who else will PSG sign in summer?
In attack there are various possibilities. Starting with Kolo Muani who, with 19 goals and 14 assists, will be one of the most repeated names of the summer window. Any transfer would fetch around €80 million and, although sporting director Campos has already got his eyes focussed on Napoli strikier Victor Osimhen, the fact is that a bidding war for the Nigerian could see his price skyrocket. PSG do not want to risk breaking Financial Fair Play regulations, although the exit of Lionel Messi could loosen up the belts of the directors at the club.
Moussa Diaby, a PSG academy graduate, is also on the list. According to Foot-Mercato, the Bayer Leverkusen winger, who has turned into a football machine in the Bundesliga this season, is one of the French club’s objectives for the summer. It sounds paradoxical, but the club could make a huge financial effort to bring in a star who once called Paris his home.
And so, with all that, their intention is clear: surround Mbappé with French players and give PSG an identity that they currently do not have.
