PSG stars believe summer transfer business left squad WEAKER than before

Suraj Radia

• 17 Feb 2023 11:22 CST
• 2 min read

Some senior players at Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly left confused and disappointed at the club’s transfer business last summer, with some believing the window left the team weaker than before.

PSG were beaten 1-0 at home by Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League knockout round to make it three straight defeats for Christophe Galtier’s sides in all competitions.

The Parisian side began the season with a 23-match unbeaten run but they have since lost five of their last 11 games, increasing tensions behind the scenes at the club.

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French outlet L’Equipe revealed that the signings of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Carlos Soler left players perplexed, with the belief that summer departures Leandro Paredes, Idrissa Gueye or Julian Draxler were more suited to the team.

There was also surprise at the decision to sign Hugo Ekitike on a permanent deal given that the 20-year-old has failed to impress during his loan spell and that academy graduate Arnaud Kalimuendo was sold to Rennes despite showing more promise.

The report is the latest controversy to hit PSG in a drama-filled season which has seen the relationship between Kylian Mbappe and the board reach breaking point, as well as the star forward and teammate Neymar, who is also believed to be frustrated with the club.

Tension leading to end of an era at PSG

The performances of the club’s new arrivals has raised doubts in the dressing room over the club’s direction and transfer strategy under director Luis Campos, who himself recently got into a dispute with Neymar and veteran Marquinhos.

Players are reported to be disappointed at Campos’ failure to bring in a defender during the summer and the club are now facing financial fair play difficulties which could limit the amount they can offer Lionel Messi in a contract extension.

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Messi is set to become a free agent when his current deal expires at the end of the season, with talks between the forward and the club having broken down this week.

With speculation that Neymar is being offered to Premier League clubs and that Mbappe is looking to leave in the summer when he has just one year remaining on his contract, PSG could see their megastar team collapse in the blink of an eye unless the situation drastically changes.