PSG’s XI with addition of rumoured transfer targets.With recent rumours suggesting the addition of further world class signings to Ligue 1 big-spenders Paris Saint-Germain this summer, CaughtOffside takes a look at how the French champions could line up next season.
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Although the club are somewhat restricted by Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations, it seems likely that the club will offload some big names in Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marquinhos in deals potentially worth over £100m, with plenty of interest in some of their relative under-performers.
The club have already strengthened in defence with the signing of David Luiz for £50m from Chelsea, while Toulouse starlet Serge Aurier has moved to the Parc des Princes on loan with a view to a permanent deal. Work is now expected to be done further forward, with some world class midfielders emerging as top targets for the club, who could also look to replace their current manager Laurent Blanc with recently-departed Juventus boss Antonio Conte.
Click below to see a run-through of PSG’s mouth-watering potential starting XI next season.Goalkeeper and defence:
Despite links with a new goalkeeper, Salvatore Sirigu is expected to continue in goal for PSG, with one target Hugo Lloris signing a new contract with Tottenham Hotspur, and another in Petr Cech told by Jose Mourinho that he will be staying at Chelsea. As mentioned already, Serge Aurier will line up at right-back, alongside Brazilian centre-back pairing David Luiz and Thiago Silva, while promising youngster Lucas Digne should continue at left-back. Overall, it is hard to see PSG being stronger defensively after losing Marquinhos and replacing him with the more error-prone Luiz, but it is still a backline with plenty of potential for the French giants.
Midfield:
With former Newcastle United playmaker Yohan Cabaye seemingly failing to impress in his first six months as a PSG player, the club have been linked with a similarly creative midfielder in Koke of Atletico Madrid. The immensely talented 22-year-old only recently signed a new contract at the Vicente Calderon after helping Diego Simeone’s side to an unlikely title win in La Liga last season. Also previously linked with the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona, Koke is undoubtedly one of the best young midfielders in the world, and would make a great addition for PSG if they can get him.
Alongside him, the club could bring in another world class youngster if they succeed in signing Paul Pogba from Juventus. The possible arrival of Antonio Conte at the Parc des Princes would no doubt help push that deal through, while another promising youngster in Marco Verratti could complete their superb-looking midfield three.
Attack:
In attack, the only major addition could still be an exciting one, with PSG continuing to be linked with a move for Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has also been mentioned as a target, but Di Maria currently seems the most likely after Real’s signing of James Rodriguez leaves little room for the classy Argentine in Carlo Ancelotti’s lineup. The leading assist-maker as he helped Real to the Champions League and Copa del Rey last season, Di Maria is just the calibre of signing PSG need to help establish themselves as a real force in the European game.
Featuring alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura in a three-man attack, PSG look potentially deadly upfront next season, and it is surely only a matter of time before they make more of an impact in the Champions League.
PSG 2014/15 potential starting XI in full: