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In the past decade, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have thoroughly cemented their place among the other heavyweights of Europe. The sumptuous cash inflow, following their takeover in 2011 by the state-run shareholding organization Qatar Sports Investments, has transformed the Parisians into proper footballing giants.
As a result, PSG have gained the might to attract some of the biggest names in the game, a liberty that seemed far-fetched in the 2000s.
PSG have a history of selling established superstars
With the ousting of budding youngsters like Mitchel Bakker and Alphonse Areola in recent years, PSG have shown that they can sell players on their whim. While this phenomenon conforms to their big-gun status of late, it wasn't the usual case some years ago. Prior to the interest from Qatar's Emir, PSG were a club of modest background with equally humble ambitions.
As a result, they had to be content being a feeder club for bigger sharks in the sea. The Parisians would regularly sell talents like Gabriel Heinze to make ends meet. They notably agreed to the transfers of legendary players like George Weah and Ronaldinho to collect the necessary funds for the club's betterment.
However, with the element of choice being added to their decision-making process following the big-money takeover, PSG no longer adhere to the askings of other clubs. Despite having the ability to hold onto their players now, the nine-time Ligue 1 champions have let several future stars slip through their ranks. On that note, let's take a look at five players that PSG should have never sold:
#5 Odsonne Edouard to Celtic
Odsonne Edouard has already scored two goals in his first 188 Premier League minutes. His fiery start to life in England has alerted all interested parties, with potential suitors already preparing to snatch him away from Crystal Palace. It is a lesser-known fact that the young Frenchman graduated from the PSG academy, only for the club to cash in on him.
Edouard could only muster 10 appearances for PSG's U19 side before being spat out on two successive loan spells. While his time at Toulouse could only produce a single goal, Edouard exploded into life with Celtic. Galvanized by his electric performances, the Hoops broke their transfer record to sign the promising youngster for €10.3 million in 2018.
He followed that up with 86 goals in four seasons with Celtic, earning a €16.3 million move to Crystal Palace this summer. Despite earning the nickname "Magic Odsonne" due to his heroics in their youth setup, PSG chose against giving him a shot in the senior squad. They have since gone on to employ Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Moise Kean at the No.9 position to disappointing results.
While PSG struggle with an erratic Mauro Icardi up front, Edouard is gearing up for a promising spell in the Premier League.
#4 Giovani Lo Celso to Real Betis
PSG seemed to have locked a certified future superstar when they paid €10 million for a 20-year-old Giovani Lo Celso in 2016. Brimming with potential, Lo Celso was expected to seal a spot in PSG's midfield down the lane.
However, the Argentine playmaker was only given a handful of opportunities, making 54 inconsistent appearances for the club. In a short-sighted business move, PSG agreed to include an option to buy while exiling Lo Celso to Real Betis. As expected, Los Verdiblancos exercised their right to buy a €40 million-rated star for just €22 million.
With his exceptional versatility and ability to influence the build-up play, PSG could've made great use of Lo Celso in their Marco Verratti-dominated midfield. The 25-year-old now brings the engine to Tottenham's midfield while PSG continue to rely on older stars like Georginio Wijnaldum and Ander Herrera.
Also read: 5 players Real Madrid should have never sold
#3 Lucas Digne to Barcelona
With the recent arrivals of Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, PSG have finally addressed the Achilles' heel of their otherwise star-studded squad. The lack of quality full-backs has always seemed to trouble the French giants in their pursuit of European glory. However, PSG only have themselves to blame as they voluntarily agreed to the sale of Lucas Digne back in 2016.
Currently regarded as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, Digne was once an outcast in the PSG squad. Bought from Lille for €15 million in 2013, the French defender was scarcely used by the Parisians, making only 44 appearances in two seasons with the club.
After a decent loan spell with Roma, PSG happily offloaded him to Barcelona in 2016. Digne has since gone on to cement his place as one of the most invaluable assets at Everton, even captaining the side on multiple occasions. With the injury-prone Bernat and inexperienced Mendes as their primary left-backs at the moment, PSG would've definitely been a better side with Digne on their books.
#2 Christopher Nkunku to RB Leipzig
Christopher Nkunku is undoubtedly one of the most promising rising stars of the present time. His progression at RB Leipzig has been breathtaking, to say the least, with the 23-year-old Frenchman blossoming into a proficient attacking midfielder.
Witnessing his steady development has been a privilege for the footballing world, except probably PSG, who chose to sell him for a paltry fee of €13 million in 2019. Part of Les Parisiens' youth setup in his younger days, Nkunku is viewed as one of the great jewels of French football.
Nevertheless, this fact did not prevent PSG from selling their promising homegrown talent. Nkunku's recent hat-trick against a rampant Manchester City side proved that the Ligue 1 giants were reckless in letting him leave. According to various reports, PSG are now trying to buy him back for a significantly higher fee.
#1 Mike Maignan to Lille
A transfer that has since come back to haunt them, PSG's decision to sell Mike Maignan to French rivals Lille, recently deprived them of their 10th Ligue 1 title. Maignan was a pivotal cog in Christophe Galtier's inspiring Lille side of the 2020-21 season, which narrowly edged PSG to top spot in the league.
The Frenchman proved impenetrable in Les Dogues' title-winning campaign, conceding just 23 goals all season, all the while keeping a remarkable 21 clean sheets. He was subsequently chosen to be Gianluigi Donnarumma's heir at AC Milan following the Italian's free transfer to PSG.
The Ligue 1 giants arguably have the strongest goalkeeping duo in all of Europe in the form of Donnarumma and Keylor Navas. However, strengthening a direct title rival without even testing the talent at hand is equally inexcusable.
He failed to register even a single appearance for PSG in his two years being contracted to the senior squad. A perfect example of what could've been, the PSG's decision to sell him for a laughable fee of €1 million has utterly backfired.
Also read: 5 players Barcelona should have never sold
