What PSG entering the race to sign Alaba and Bellerin means

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:44 CDT
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain are seeking to remodel their defence in the summer, with Bayern Munich’s David Alaba and Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin among the options they are studying.

Presently, the Ligue 1 champions have a starting back four of Alessandro Florenzi, who is only on loan from Roma, on the right, Marquinhos and Presenel Kimpembe in the centre and Juan Bernat on the left.

Bernat, however, is a long-term injury concern and has been linked with a summer move to Barcelona, when his contract with PSG expires.

Furthermore, the depth in this area of the team is questionable, with Thilo Kehrer and Abdou Diallo having failed to live up to expectations and promising youngster Timothee Pembele still considered raw.

Alaba and Bellerin are, therefore, attractive options.

David Alaba to PSG

Alaba is an attractive player due to his versatility and also the fact that he is out of contract in the summer. Indeed, he has already confirmed he wants a new challenge.

PSG accept that Real Madrid are favourites to sign the Austria international, according to RMC. Alaba’s dream is to play in Spain and, clearly, Los Blancos are a highly attractive option. Barcelona are also interested but less well placed than their Clasico rivals to sign the 28-year-old. Finally, Juventus could also move, although they are another club with money worries.

Alaba is prepared to listen to the Champions League runners-up, though Real Madrid must be considered strong favourites to sign him.

Hector Bellerin to PSG

PSG’s links to Bellerin come from CBS. Indeed, it reports that they made an offer of £25 million to the Gunners last summer only to have it rebuffed by Arsenal, who wanted around £35m.

The French side were certainly chasing a full-back last summer, as illustrated by their signing of Florenzi. The Italian represents a cheaper option at present, and with PSG in the midst of financial issues due to the coronavirus pandemic, arguably a stronger medium-term bet.

It is reported that Barcelona and two Serie A sides also want Bellerin, who will be approaching the last year of his contract in the summer. Arsenal will not, therefore, be in the strong bargaining position that they were last year. PSG, though, will not want a bidding war over a non-marquee player.

The change of coach at PSG, it should be underlined, is unlikely to have had any bearing on the club’s transfer targets as sporting director Leonardo takes the lead in this domain.

Alternative options

It is likely – probably even – that PSG will not capture both of these players.

In particular, Alaba looks an unlikely addition. To that end, Sergio Ramos, who Alaba could replace at Real Madrid, is likely to be high up their shopping list. He may be older, but his profile nevertheless remains attractive and he is also out of contract in June.

In the right-back role, meanwhile, Florenzi should be considered a favourite to be retained at Parc des Princes.