Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are just a few months away from one of the most pivotal periods in the club’s history.
While PSG’s considerable wealth has allowed them to dominate French football, success in the Champions League has proved to be elusive.
Heavy investment in stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi left many PSG fans dreaming they had won a massive Virgin Games jackpot with their casino games online.
However, much like the unpredictable nature table games and slots, things have not unfolded as the powerbrokers at PSG had imagined.
Last summer’s transfer business was expected to finally deliver the success PSG craved, but the team has largely failed to live up to expectations.
Some PSG players reportedly think the club’s recent transfer dealings have weakened the squad, and it is difficult to argue with that viewpoint.
Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Carlos Soler have not delivered what was expected of them, while Hugo Ekitike has flopped since arriving from Reims.
With several areas of the squad in need of improvement and doubts about the futures of some top players, PSG can ill-afford to get things wrong this summer.
The acquisition of Inter Milan center-back Milan Škriniar is a positive move as he will undoubtedly strengthen their defensive options.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani has also been linked with the club and he would be another useful signing if PSG can get the deal done.
The 24-year-old has been in fine form in the Bundesliga this season, netting 11 goals and 12 assists in 22 appearances for the German club.
He has also not looked out of place in the Champions League and is the type of dynamic forward who could flourish with PSG.
His compatriot Marcus Thuram has also been linked with the club and he would be a shrewd signing given he will be available on a free transfer.
Thuram’s Borussia Monchengladbach teammate Kouadio Koné has been touted for a move to PSG, although several other European clubs are monitoring him.
Koné’s ability to play in several midfield roles makes him an attractive proposition and he would be an excellent addition to PSG’s ranks.
While choosing the right players to sign will be crucial to PSG’s hopes of winning the Champions League, who they part company with will also be hugely important.
The biggest issue they face during the upcoming transfer window is deciding what to do with the attacking trio of Mbappé, Neymar Jr., and Messi.
On paper, they should be capable of ripping teams apart, but the gamble of partnering three of the world’s biggest stars simply has not worked.
Messi has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer and it would be no surprise to see him head to North America next season.
The time may also be right to part ways with Neymar, whose injury-prone nature is not going to improve now he is the wrong side of 30.
Mbappé is the undisputed jewel in PSG’s attacking crown and they should make it their priority to keep him at the club ahead of Messi and Neymar.
Making the right moves in the transfer market this summer is crucial if PSG want to have a genuine chance of becoming the champions of Europe.