The January transfer window was a quiet one for Paris Saint-Germain and one reason for that may have been that the club is busy working on contracts for the players they already have.
Several players have already been offered deals, like youngsters Adil Aouchiche and Tanguy Kouassi who just need to sign their name, while others are waiting patiently for a contract to come their way, like Thomas Meunier.
In total, there are 10 players who need to have their contract situation at PSG sorted before the end of June. Plus, there’s the pressing issue of Kylian Mbappé and Neymar Jr. who both are under contract until 2022 but, depending on how the team performs in the UEFA Champions League, could be open to remaining in the French capital and signing a contract extension.
With that in mind, here is what I think PSG should do with the players they have that could soon come off the books:
Mauro Icardi – Loan – €65M Option to Buy
The striker is on loan from Inter Milan for the season but PSG does have an option to buy for €65 million according to The Guardian. This is a deal that should have been done yesterday but Icardi may have reservations about remaining in Paris considering his wife and family live in Italy. It’s up to PSG’s sporting director, Leonardo, to convince the Argentine that PSG is his best option professionally.
Thomas Meunier
This is one of the more difficult decisions for me. The Belgium international isn’t exactly a crowd favorite and he does have his flaws, however, he’s rarely injured and has loads of experience. Plus, he wants to be in Paris. If I’m Leonardo, I offer Meunier a one or two-year contract extension to buy me some time to find a world-class right-back. He’s not a bad insurance policy to have in the team.
Edinson Cavani
Cavani almost left in the January transfer window. He handed in a transfer request and offered to make less salary at Atlético Madrid. PSG should give him a proper send-off at the Parc des Princes and wish him well on his future endeavors. No contract extension talks necessary.
Layvin Kurzawa
Like Cavani, Kurzawa is as good as gone at the end of the season after his failed transfer to Juventus FC in January. He won’t get the lavish send-off like Cavani, which might be a little awkward, but under no circumstances should PSG entertain a contract extension for the left-back. His departure does mean PSG will be in the market for a left-back in the summer transfer window.
Sergio Rico – Loan – €10M Option to Buy
The Spanish goalkeeper has been solid when called upon and I think PSG would be wise to trigger the €10 million option to buy. He has stated that PSG is one of the biggest clubs in the world and that he would be delighted to stay past this season.
*Rico actually said "PSG are 1 of the biggest clubs in the world — I would be delighted to stay (next season)." #CdF https://t.co/Zez7NJMkXe
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) January 6, 2020
Alphonse Areola is currently on loan at Real Madrid and he is another player whose contract expires at the end of June. Considering how PSG has somewhat mistreated him and never really gave him full confidence, I would expect him to depart PSG and Rico to fill his place as the back-up to Keylor Navas.
Thiago Silva
Normally, you wouldn’t be eager to offer a contract extension to a 35-year-old but Silva has turned back the clock this season and remains an invaluable part of PSG’s defense. A one-year extension should be his reward for an outstanding 2019-20 season.
Adil Aouchiche
The young Frenchman had a breakout 2019 and has caught the attention of FC Barcelona. Aouchiche has said that his heart is in Paris but has yet to commit long-term. I anticipate he will but it’s difficult to predict what a 17-year-old will do.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
I can’t imagine Choupo-Moting will be retained, which will make PSG’s depth at striker very thin once he departs with Cavani. If Icardi chooses to return to Italy, PSG would then be without a true number nine heading into the summer transfer window.
Tanguy Kouassi
Kouassi has really emerged lately with manager Thomas Tuchel showing his faith in the 17-year-old and naming him to the starting lineup in several matches. The versatile Frenchman can play his more natural center-back role or step in as a defensive midfielder. PSG has made him an offer but so has RB Leipzig. Like Aouchiche, it’s difficult to predict what Kouassi is thinking at this moment.
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
