What to expect from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window

Paris Saint-Germain had another excellent domestic campaign where they completed the quadruple by winning the Trophée des Champions, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue trophies alongside the Ligue 1 crown.

Still, the season won’t be satisfactory for the club’s hierarchy and manager Thomas Tuchel’s job could potentially depend on whether he can guide Les Parisiens to their maiden Champions League crown later this month.

Regardless of the outcome, the club are bound to make changes to the squad ahead of next season and we look into the possible signings, departures and loan exits which could happen.

The club have already secured the signature of Mauro Icardi. The Argentine’s loan move from Inter Milan was made permanent earlier in May after they agreed to pay an initial fee of around £45m.

Signings

With Thiago Silva set to leave the club on a free transfer this month, Les Parisiens may be on the hunt for a new central defender. The club have already lost the services of Tanguy Nianzou to Bayern Munich on a free transfer and they should be disappointed, given the youngster was seen as one for the future after making his senior debut last term.

Les Parisiens have not been associated with any central defenders of late but earlier in June, they were credited with an interest in Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. Elsewhere, the midfield could be another position where they could strengthen for next term.

Arsenal’s Matteo Guendouzi has recently emerged as a potential target for the French champions. The Ligue 1 holders were closely monitoring his progress when he was playing for Lorient in the French second tier two years ago, but were beaten to his signature by the Gunners. He is currently valued at around £40m.

Les Parisiens have a star-studded attack with the presence of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Icardi, Angel di Maria among others. They are now being linked with a sensational move for Cristiano Ronaldo, who is considering his options after Juventus’ round of 16 exit in the Champions League. It would be a major statement, if they manage to sign him this summer.

Departures

Les Parisiens are set to part ways with Silva after their eight-year association. His contract expires at the end of their Champions League campaign and he is scheduled to leave the club on a free transfer thereafter.

Aside from Silva, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Sergio Rico are also expected to leave the capital outfit this month. Choupo-Moting, who made a surprise move from Stoke City few years ago, has not been offered a contract beyond August.

Rico was signed on loan from Sevilla to act as the back-up goalkeeper to Keylor Navas. The Spaniard has made eight appearances over the course of the season, but may not be retained next term, considering the club have a budding young goalkeeper in Marcin Bulka, who could feature on the bench.

Talking about shot-stoppers, Kevin Trapp sealed his permanent departure from Les Parisiens to rejoin Eintracht Frankfurt this month. He could be followed by Alphonse Areola through the exit door. The Frenchman spent last season on loan with Real Madrid, where he made just 10 appearances and he could seek regular first-team football elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Nianzou, Edinson Cavani, Adil Aouchiche and Thomas Meunier have already left the club after their contracts expired on June 30. Les Parisien were eager for Cavani to stay until the end of August, but he made the decision to move on. Young graduates Nianzou and Aouchiche chose to join Bayern and Saint-Etienne respectively after turning down fresh deals.

Loans

Young goalkeeper Garissone Innocent could be sent out on loan next term. The 20-year-old has yet to make his senior debut for Les Parisiens and has made the matchday squad on just one occasion. A number of Ligue 2 clubs are said to be interested in his services.

Mitchel Bakker started the club’s recent Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals after making just one league appearance throughout the Ligue 1 campaign. The young left-back benefitted from both Juan Bernat and Layvin Kurzawa lacking match fitness, but it won’t be surprising, if he drops to the bench for the European games this month.

A temporary exit could be an option for the former Ajax graduate. Scottish champions Celtic are one of the clubs, who could be in the running to sign the 20-year-old. They would have watched him closely during last month’s friendly against Les Parisiens which they lost 4-0.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com