PSG ready for January fire sale with seven players close to an exit
As reported by L’Équipe, PSG are looking to significantly trim their squad this winter with as many as seven players close to an exit following Mauricio Pochettino’s complaints over an unwieldy 33 man senior group and a need to make up for a significant financial deficit.
Mauro Icardi (28) would be the most valuable asset willing to be sold by the club, but his situation remains tricky. The lack of agreeable options for the player in the current market, the club’s aim to recoup much of the €50m they paid for him just last year and the need for a genuine number nine in the squad could conspire against a move away. PSG should accept a weighty offer, however.
Despite improving significantly under Pochettino and being prominent in the side at the start of the year, defender Abdou Diallo (25) is edging further away from the first team. His is highly regarded in England, however, and could be seen as a winter target with a summer departure very likely should he remain. The arrival of Nuno Mendes, not to mention two other international left-backs in the squad, has limited his chances, as has Thilo Kehrer’s apparent new ranking above him in the pecking order at centre-back.
Pushed to leave more than most, former France full-back Layvin Kurzawa (29) is refusing to move on despite the abundance of players in his position. A high salary on a deal that was surprisingly extended to 2024 last year is contributing to his stubbornness despite only nine minutes of play this season. “The one (Leonardo) who made me extend my contract will leave before I do!” the player has reportedly told friends. Goalkeeper Sergio Rico (28), now somewhere between third and fourth choice, is in a similar situation given a high salary, that three years remain on his contract and his a lack of options in the market.
Two academy graduates, right-back Colin Dagba (23) and midfielder Eric Dina Ebimbe (21), are both also likely to be deemed surplus to requirements with considerable competition in both their positions. Ebimbe could leave on loan but Dagba, who recently joined agent Pini Zahavi’s stable, has been forced to assess the market and look for options elsewhere to provide game time. No discussions with the club have been initiated, however.
Often impressive under Thomas Tuchel last season, Brazilian midfielder Rafinha (28) has disappeared from Pochettino’s radar in 2021 and was even left out of PSG’s Champions League squad this season. He’s been told the coaching staff do not consider him part of their plans, with Pochettino unimpressed with him in training. However, he remains under contract until 2024 and is popular in the dressing room, being especially close to Neymar.
These players, now not needed by the club, cost PSG a total of €115m.