Though Paris Saint-Germain appear to be able to afford just about any player in the world, and taking into account that Monaco have been one of the best teams in Europe in 2016/17, it’s a shame that neither of these two clubs, or any other in France’s Ligue 1, would appear to be able to hold onto their stars when La Liga cash comes calling.
One has the perception therefore that it is an inferior league and indeed; UEFA’s co-efficient in awarding points for the Golden Boot is different for those playing in France to what it is in the other top 4 European leagues.
Hence. it won’t be a surprise when the summer exodus begins so let’s take a look at five players that will most likely be playing in Spain next season.
#1 Mario Balotelli
With 15 goals to show for his season at Nice, Mario Balotelli has been praised for his prowess in front of goal for a change instead of admonished for other activities.
One of football’s ‘bad boys,’ the Italian has worked hard at shedding such an image, preferring to let his football do the talking.
The way in which he has spearheaded the attack has earned him deserved plaudits and put him back in the shop window again. Las Palmas, who were in for him before he chose Nice, are reported to be putting together a package for the player that he will find hard to resist.
Playing him alongside the equally special but controversial Kevin-Prince Boateng is a master stroke. The two are good friends and work well together. With Jese Rodriguez slowly finding his form again, the Canary Islanders could have some attack in 2017/18.
#2 Marco Verratti
Whenever the transfer window has opened over the last couple of seasons, Marco Verratti’s name has always been linked with Barcelona but arguably without foundation.
Xavi Hernandez has never been adequately replaced and with the Italian from the same school of play as the maestro, two and two have regularly been put together to make five.
Not anymore.
Verratti’s agent has already met twice with Blaugrana executives and Verratti himself has suggested that he is “very excited” about the possibility of wearing the Blaugrana next season.
Price could still be a stumbling block given that it’s unlikely PSG will do business at anything under €80m. However, with Andres Iniesta getting no younger and Barca keen to raise funds through player sales, this could just be the right moment to snare one of the brightest talents in world football.
#3 Adrien Rabiot
Verratti’s midfield colleague, Adrien Rabiot, could also be about to swap the French capital for Catalonia.
Like many of his teammates, Rabiot has grown tired of PSG’s inability to win silverware at the top level. The 6-1 loss to Barcelona caused many of the players to do a full and frank reassessment of their professional circumstances, and whilst there’s unlikely to be a stampede out of the door, it should be expected that PSG’s starting XI next season will look much changed to its present variant.
Just 22-years-old, Rabiot has been showered with compliments by former Barcelona legend, Xavi, who has suggested that the midfielder would have no problem fitting in at Camp Nou and that his skill set would be perfect for the club.
Disillusioned by some of Unai Emery’s tactics, which don’t make the most of his talent, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him lining up alongside Verratti and Sergio Busquets for the Blaugrana.
#4 Jean Michael Seri
It seems that Barcelona could be the busiest of all of the La Liga clubs in the summer, as scouts are reported to have watched Nice’s Jean Michael Seri.
The player is aware of the club’s interest in him and would jump at the chance to join a team that he has been following since he was a small child living in the Ivory Coast.
Under the radar, for the most part, the midfielder’s numbers are at least on a par with Verratti’s and in some cases, better. Arguably, he will come at a more realistic price than the headline-grabbing Italian, but you get what you pay for.
With a high accuracy in the pass, decent assist stats and an engine that can go all day long, perhaps Barcelona’s purpose would be better served by an early summer purchase for a reasonable outlay, rather than an auction to the highest bidder.
#5 Alexandre Lacazette
The cat is already out of the bag as far as Alexandre Lacazette is concerned. Talking to Lyon’s official television channel, he told them that he would be going to a club “that are always in the latter stages of the Champions League...and have Antoine Griezmann.”
Atletico Madrid are known to have already approached the player and Lacazette has already let slip that he is crazy about the prospect of playing alongside Griezmann.
One of the hottest properties in French football for some time now, he would be a huge loss to Lyon and to French football in general.
However, he’ll be welcomed with open arms by Diego Simeone, into a side that has largely struggled to find the back of the net this season, unless Griezmann has been at it.
So very nearly big winners on the European stage, this is one signing that could propel the Rojiblancos forward.
