Five players Paris Saint-Germain should sell in the summer of 2022

Published at :December 8, 2021 at 9:57 PM

Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM

(Courtesy : PSG Talk)

These stars have gone down in the pecking order at the club.

Paris Saint-Germain had a dream transfer window in the summer of 2021. Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma are among a few names who had signed for the club in the summer. Undoubtedly, at least on paper, they have the strongest team in the world.

With the likes of Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Giorginio Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos and Marquinhos turning out to be the preferrable starters, a few players may not find a place for themselves in the team. Some players have already been loaned out. A few are spending their days on the reserve bench, observing others plying their trade.

But to be honest, with such a star-studded line-up and the promise to evolve stronger next summer, it is time that Paris Saint-Germain should consider selling a few personnel who has become surplus to the requirements.

5. Pablo Sarabia

**Sarabia had scored 14 goals in his first season with PSG (Courtesy: PSG Talk)**

In summer, 2019, Paris Saint-Germain secured the signature of Pablo Sarabia on a five-year contract till June 30, 2024. A midfielder by trade, Sarabia was an important member of Pablo Machin’s Sevilla squad. In 52 matches, he netted the ball 22 times. Apart from this, he also created opportunities for his teammates upfront.

The midfielder had a promising start to this new journey in France. He went on to score 14 goals and assisted eight times in 40 matches in his debut season.

However, things changed with time and the midfielder had to depart to Sporting Lisbon on loan, with the arrival of several new signings. He wanted more playing time, thus his decision to leave the club was perfect. The Spaniard has already made nine appearances for the Portugal-based side, scoring twice.

Apart from PSG, Sarabia is also a member of the Spanish national team and even scored twice in Euro 2020.

It will be ideal for PSG to sell him in the upcoming summer, both from the player’s point of view and the club’s financial angle.

4. Julian Draxler

The German midfielder signed for Paris Saint-Germain in January 2017. During his tenure at the club, Draxler has made 123 appearances for the side, scoring 17 times.

As a member of the German national team, he has won the FIFA World Cup (2014) and FIFA Confederations Cup (2017).

With Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr and Marco Verratti in the ranks, it is perhaps a bit difficult for Draxler to make it into the starting XI. The player even saw a change in position from the left-flank to the centre of the park. In recent days, he isn’t even getting featured on the bench.

Draxler signed an extension with the club till 2024 in May. In spite of this, it is preferrable for both the parties to part ways with each other.

Julian Draxler, just 29, is expected to be at the peak of his career. But he hardly receives playing time, and clubs from all over Europe will be happy to have the German.

3. Sergio Rico

The goalkeeper initially joined Paris Saint-Germain on a loan deal from Sevilla in 2019. In the following season however, he was signed on a permanent transfer.

A few months back, PSG went on to sign the Euro 2020 winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. From being the perfect replacement of Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian squad to performing brilliantly at AC Milan, the 22-year-old was the perfect pick for PSG in the summer.

However, with the arrival of Donnarumma, Sergio Rico’s chances of starting in the league games or the cup fixtures seem immensely difficult.

In such a situation, it would be ideal for the 28-year-old Spaniard to find a new club. Even PSG should consider offloading the keeper in the following summer window.

2. Ander Herrera

After spending five seasons in Manchester United, the Spanish midfielder joined PSG in a free transfer in 2019. Now, the thing with Herrera is a bit different. It is not that the 32-year-old hasn’t appeared much in Paris Saint-Germain colours, but if they are looking forward to bag the signature of Paul Pogba next season, it would be appropriate for the club to sell Herrera.

PSG have the likes of Marco Veratti, Giorginio Wijnaldum, Rafinha, Danilo Pereira, Idrissa Gueye and Leandro Paredes in their squad. If they add Pogba to this list, then it wouldn’t be necessary to retain Herrera till 2024. Perhaps offloading him in summer will benefit the club financially.

1. Mauro Icardi

**Icardi has scored just 10 goals in his last two seasons at PSG (Courtesy: PSG Talk)**

There have been problems surrounding Mauro Icardi both on and off the field, ever since he signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. He has scored just 10 goals in the last two seasons for the club, which is quite a disappointing return. The presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappe hinders the 28-year-old to feature regularly.

He will be turning 29 in January 2022, and it is best for the player to spend his peak years as a regular starter for any other club, who are desperate for a striker. According to transfer rumours, clubs like Juventus, AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur might be interested in the forward. Even Newcastle United could be a part of his destiny.

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