In one year, a lot of things have changed at Paris Saint-Germain. At the same time last year, the coach was named Christophe Galtier, and the club was preparing for a perilous trip to the RC Lens pitch, with a reshuffled team (Ekitike established at the forefront, Carlos Soler in 10) since neither Messi nor Neymar were available, for different reasons. As for the winter transfer window, it was going to be trivial, without any arrivals, the club considering itself well equipped after an exciting first part of the season.
For January 2024, things are very different. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s football advisor, Luis Campos, has activated his networks, and has already completed two transfers. You couldn’t have missed it, PSG will indeed recruit defender Lucas Beraldo, 20 years old, left-handed, from São Paulo, and midfielder Gabriel Moscardo, 20 years old, freshly released from Corinthians, but who is injured for three months. For the first, the price amounts to €20 million + €5 million bonus, the second €22 million + €3 million. That is €50 million taken from Parisian coffers to meet the needs of Luis Enrique. Indeed, the latter had to do without Presnel Kimpembe during the first part of the season, and the French defender is not about to return, since he will have another operation.
An extra nugget?
A midfielder was also expected, to compensate for the absence of Fabian Ruiz, severely injured in the shoulder, and to give more solutions to the Spanish coach, sometimes limited in this sector of the game. PSG therefore acted quickly , but we will have to wait to see what these two Brazilian hopefuls, who will discover Europe, can really bring. However, this demonstrates that Luis Campos has worked well upstream and is capable of competing with the European leaders on the South American nuggets. The latest example is the interest of the Ile-de-France club in Allen Obando, a 17-year-old Ecuadorian striker, author of a great U17 World Cup with his selection. A project for the future more than a real reinforcement for the winter transfer window.
On the other hand, the arrival of Beraldo would not necessarily condemn the recruitment of a left back. Indeed, Lucas Hernandez is currently the only specialist in the position, and to make him breathe, Luis Enrique must innovate (Mukiele left back for example). Nuno Mendes is still not fit, even if those around him have expressed confidence in a return on time (around March?). It remains to be seen what kind of profile could interest Luis Campos in this position. A player lacking playing time in a major European club eager to get back on track or a young gem with no European reference? For Luis Enrique, this is a rather immediate need.
The undesirables…and the surprises
On the departure side, PSG finds itself faced with the usual problems. He must part with players on whom he no longer counts, but whose emoluments cool various courtiers. We of course think of Hugo Ekitike, eager to find a solution, after 4 months without playing (last appearance on August 12 against Lorient). Without a future in Paris, a transfer is hoped. For Layvin Kurzawa, the situation is more complex, since he reaches the end of his contract next June and will therefore be able to leave free, towards a new challenge. It’s hard to imagine finding a new base in January.
Other cases will potentially prove more delicate. The Carlos Soler case risks causing internal debate. The Spanish player has never imposed himself since his arrival last summer. Playing several positions, but rarely his own, he has not been forgotten by La Liga, since Betis, Sevilla FC and Villarreal are thinking of him for this winter as revealed exclusively by us. PSG has not opened the door, but could the rest of the transfer window reshuffle the cards? Likewise, an unexpected man could return to the squad. Indeed, AS Roma wants to break Renato Sanches’ loan, which made José Mourinho lose patience. Like others before him, the Portuguese technician thought he would get the best out of his compatriot before giving up in the face of his physical problems. In the event of a return to the Parisian squad, a solution would have to be found for a new start.
