5 players who could join PSG in January

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 4 min read

Last summer, French giants Paris Saint-Germain enjoyed one of the most high-profile transfer windows of all time.

Mauricio Pochettino strengthened his squad by bringing in legendary Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Georginio Wijnaldum on free transfers, while Achraf Hakimi arrived for a big fee from Inter.

A permanent deal was secured for Danilo Pereira and exciting young-full back Nuno Mendes was signed on loan from Sporting CP with the option to buy.

It is a star-studded squad in Paris unlike any other, with Messi joining a front three that already included Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

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Never far away from football transfer news, PSG will always look to strengthen where possible.

However, PSG and Pochettino have confirmed that the priority in January is actually to trim the squad, not add to it significantly.

FootballTransfers previously detailed the players PSG will be looking to sell.

Any focus on recruitment will likely come in the summer, but that doesn't mean PSG won't take the opportunity to buy one of their targets if they become available.

Diego Lainez (Real Betis)

The fact that Lainez has been compared to Messi should provide an indication of his talents, though the comparisons are mainly due to their similar playing style currently.

Like Messi, Lainez is initially impressing on the right wing, cutting inside onto his favoured left foot.

He also possesses a low centre of gravity and can move at a tremendous pace both with and without the ball at his feet.

It seems highly unlikely that PSG will swoop for Lainez at the moment and if they do, they would probably loan Lainez back out.

However, they are keeping tabs on his development at Betis.

Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)

This transfer seemed a lot more possible even a couple of weeks ago than it does now as Bayern are now short in midfield following the expected long-term absence of Joshua Kimmich.

With Kimmich out of the picture for a bit, Tolisso will likely be asked to play a lot more and did indeed feature from the start against Barcelona in the Champions League.

PSG have had an interest in Tolisso since back in his Lyon days, but they would need to get rid of a couple of their own midfielders first before targeting him in January.

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

At the moment, it is increasingly likely that Paul Pogba will leave Man Utd as a free agent in the summer of 2022.

Mino Raiola, Pogba's agent, confirmed this week that his client already has a number of options on the table should he decide to depart Old Trafford.

One of these options is believed to be PSG and although the far more likely scenario is Pogba joining for free, Man Utd may be tempted into a January sale if they can recoup some money.

That decision will be up to Ralf Rangnick.

Richarlison (Everton)

Real Madrid tried and failed to sign Mbappe from PSG on deadline day, having a mammoth €200 million bid rejected for the World Cup winner.

Mbappe is expected to leave for Los Blancos, but like Pogba, it will probably be on a free transfer.

If Madrid come back with another bid in January then PSG may be tempted to sell, which means they will need to target a big-name replacement.

Richarlison has been on their radar for some time and could make the switch to Paris, but he will cost more than they are likely willing to pay in January.

Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)

One player destined for big, big things in European football is Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

A throwback of sorts, the Serbian has the ability to be a battering ram up top, utilising his pace and power, but he is also an extremely accomplished finisher and has been tallying up plenty of goals in Serie A.

He will be sold by Fiorentina at some point, but it will likely come at the end of a bidding war.

PSG will want to be involved in that bidding war, even in January.