da realbet: While a couple of big names have already headed for the Parc des Princes exit, others could yet follow them in the coming months
da aposte e ganhe: In a sense, Paris Saint-Germain got lucky. Lionel Messi is gone, and he left early. The Argentine was bound to generate controversy this summer, and he did his now-former club a real favour by letting them know he would leave well before the end of the season.
It is a decision that allows PSG to move on to more pressing issues. And there are a lot to handle. Kylian Mbappe has one year left on his contract. There will be the annual, and obligatory, match-making fest with Neymar. A host of loanees will return to the club, most of which will need new homes. Put together, PSG have too many players, but very few who are good enough to help them reach their lofty goals of European success.
And to make things even more difficult, the Parisians are currently without a manager after sacking Christophe Galtier earlier this week.
This summer won't be easy, then, and PSG have a number of big decisions to make about who to bring in. But what to do with the pre-existing squad? GOAL takes a look at who PSG should keep, and who they should let go, this transfer window…
GettyKEEP: Kylian Mbappe
This is a simple one. Kylian Mbappe has pledged to stay at PSG, making it very clear that he will see out the rest of his contract, which ends in 2024. The future beyond that is uncertain, but there is a good chance he leaves for Real Madrid that summer.
And that doesn't matter. Mbappe is one of the best players in the world, and will probably lift PSG to the Ligue 1 title alone. Madrid might try a cheeky bid, especially with Karim Benzema gone, but PSG should stand their ground. Mbappe is too good to let go.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesSELL: Neymar
Here we are again. Every year, PSG flirt with the idea of selling Neymar. There are rumours, clues on social media, and the occasional concrete link. And then, inevitably, Neymar ends up in PSG training at the start of pre-season, smiling as if nothing ever happened.
The same scenario will, in all likelihood, play out again this year. Neymar is coming off ankle surgery, and at 31, probably won't fetch the financial return PSG would hope for. A new manager will also probably like a chance at coaching one of the best in the world.
Still, if the right offer comes in, PSG should jump at it. While he won't command the hundreds of millions PSG spent on him, there should be enough of a fee to reinvest. And for Neymar, a change of scenery might be necessary. Both parties could benefit.
Getty ImagesKEEP: Gini Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum probably deserves one more shot. The midfielder was injury plagued at Roma, but had some good moments as the season wore on. And if PSG undergo the midfield clearout they arguably need, some legs will be necessary for reinforcement.
He's in a slightly odd juncture in his career, too. Wijnaldum is 32, and his contract ends next year. A loan, at this point, makes little sense. Sticking around and trying to prove himself in front of a new manager might be his best shot at another long-term contract. There's little risk in it for PSG, too.
Getty ImagesSELL: Mauro Icardi
With Icardi, the talent was always there. Who knew that Galatasaray would be the team to unlock it? The Argentine scored 23 goals for the Turkish side this year, finding the sort of form that made him among the most highly-rated strikers in the world just a few years ago.
And now other clubs have come sniffing. Jose Mourinho's Roma are among the interested parties, while Juventus are also supposedly in the running. PSG won't make a fortune from him; Roma are reportedly offering less than €10 million (£8.6m/$10.7m). Still, it's money, and the Parisians should take what they can get for a player who clearly doesn't have a future at the club.