Things are happening in the squad of Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain. For now, the focus is primarily on player sales. Among the players rumored to be on their way out are young Ibrahim Mbaye, a former Frankfurt player, and even Bradley Barcola, who was previously considered untouchable.
Last summer, there was very little movement in the Paris Saint-Germain roster, but that could change now. Although the transfer market hasn’t really picked up steam in France yet, the now two-time Champions League winner has already generated a nine-figure sum in transfer fees. According to various sources, the transfer of center forward Goncalo Ramos to AC Milan brought in between 60 and 75 million euros. The transfer of Kang-In Lee to Atlético Madrid, which is expected to be finalized shortly, is likely to bring in around 40 million euros.
The “prospect squad” could pay off
But that’s likely just the beginning. According to L’Equipe, internal PSG analyses suggest the club could even take in over 300 million during this transfer window—which would be a record for the Qatar-backed club. And it would also be to the credit of the duo of Luis Enrique (head coach) and Luis Campos (strategic advisor to the board), who, as is well known, no longer rely solely on big-name, expensive signings like Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé, but have instead built a squad with long-term potential.
To actually reach this 300 million in revenue, however, at least one particularly spectacular departure would need to be factored in. That could be Bradley Barcola. The 23-year-old winger was often merely a backup for Desiré Doué, who is two years his junior, last season. Both are currently playing for France at the World Cup, where their roles have shifted slightly—Barcola has been given the nod over Doué.
Perhaps Barcola, who arrived from Lyon three years ago for 45 million euros, is also earning brownie points with Luis Enrique—or for a new employer. Officially, PSG considers him unsellable, but according to a report by L’Equipe, the club has reportedly set an internal price of 150 million euros at which point they would consider a sale. English clubs, for example, could certainly be expected to make such an offer.
What will become of Mbaye and Kolo Muani?
Ibrahim Mbaye is also being touted as another possible departure. The 18-year-old right winger represented Senegal at the World Cup and even scored a goal there—fittingly, in the 1-3 loss to France in the opening match. Mbaye is said to have recently switched agent agencies, and reports suggest he is also seeking a change: Manchester City and Aston Villa are considered potential suitors, with the possible transfer fee estimated at up to 50 million euros.
The future of Randal Kolo Muani also remains uncertain. The center forward is returning from his loan stints at Tottenham and, most recently, Juventus, but Luis Enrique apparently no longer has plans for the player whom PSG signed from Frankfurt in 2023 for over 90 million euros. His two loan clubs are also said to be potential buyers, but for no more than half of the transfer fee originally paid.
New signings for the attacking wings are in the works
Barcola, Mbaye, and Kolo Muani would simultaneously free up spots on the roster in the attack—for example, for Yan Diomande, with whom PSG has already reached an agreement, but whom Leipzig apparently still refuses to let go for less than 100 million euros. Alongside the Ivory Coast national team player, Maghnes Akliouche in particular is at the top of the shopping list.
The 24-year-old right winger not only scored 18 goals for AS Monaco in the last Ligue 1 season but also set up 21 more. While on the French national team, he can now ask his PSG teammates—such as Ousmane Dembelé, Doué, or Barcola—what it’s like to play under Luis Enrique. One sticking point with Akliouche is still the transfer fee; he is reportedly set to cost around 50 million euros.
