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The end of the 2020/21 footballing season is just a month away, and with that, the summer transfer window beckons us. The first transfer window of the season is known for big splurges by top clubs, along with the movement of some of the top talents in world football. This time around, social media is abuzz with rumors of Neymar parting ways with Paris Saint-Germain after four years at the club though recent reports suggest he is ready to sign a new contract.
The Brazilian superstar departed Camp Nou in a shocking move for a world-record £200million fee. In 106 appearances for the club, Neymar has been involved in a staggering 132 goals (83 goals, 49 assists) for the Parisians.
Rumors are that Neymar is keen to be reunited with Lionel Messi once again, and that might see Neymar’s return to Camp Nou. If the 29-year old does leave Parc Des Princes in the coming future, PSG will be on the lookout for a world-class replacement.
Today, let’s take a look at:
5 players who could replace Neymar at PSG
#5 Harry Kane
Although Harry Kane finds himself at #5 on this list, he is a firm favorite to replace the Brazilian at PSG - reuniting him with former boss Mauricio Pochettino. Although Kane is not a natural replacement for Neymar, he is a natural goalscorer and is extremely precise with passing in the final third.
The Englishman can be the perfect foil for the likes of Mbappe and Di Maria, who can express themselves around the hard-working and consistent Harry Kane. The 27-year is one of world football’s most feared strikers, and has maintained a consistently high-performance level over the last 3-4 years. Kane has been exceptional this season - leading the Premier League charts in terms of goals (19) as well as assists (13).
A player with a pedigree such as the Englishman’s will be not be satisfied if Tottenham Hotspur keep failing to win trophies or make a substantial impact at European level.
From a neutral point of view, Spurs do not stand a chance of winning a significant trophy in the coming years, and adding the presence of Pochettino at PSG, Kane might be convinced to leave, after 8 years at the club.
#4 Mohamed Salah
Next up, we have one of the best wingers in world football at the moment - Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool star played a huge role in the club’s first league trophy of the Premier League era and has invariably become a modern Liverpool great.
The Egyptian ended the Reds’ title-winning season with an involvement in 29 goals (19 goals, 10 assists) from 34 Premier League appearances. Salah will definitely find himself on PSG’s wishlist if Neymar does decide to leave Paris, and will be a natural replacement for the Brazilian’s creative flair.
Salah’s signing will allow Pochettino to maintain his 4-2-3-1 formation, with Salah filling in on the wings, alongside Di Maria and Mbappe in attack, with the likes of Julian Draxler filling in the attacking midfield role - where Neymar has been positioned lately.
Liverpool are having a horrid time in their defense of the Premier League and have been unlucky with injuries - especially in defense, forcing Liverpool to field an inexperienced duo of Kabak and Phillips. PSG have been in scintillating form this season, and after spending four years at Anfield, Salah might venture to France for a new challenge alongside Mbappe & Co., upon Neymar's departure.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo
PSG have a habit of making the audacious big-name signings, as we saw with Neymar’s £200million transfer saga, and they might look to do something similar by signing a great of the game.
The Parisians have shown a strong interest in Cristiano Ronaldo ever since his Real Madrid days, and might look to finally seal the deal. Unfortunately, the Messi-Ronaldo dominance of world football is nearing its end, and the Portuguese would be looking to end his career with a few Champions League medals and other “bigger” trophies.
Much like Tottenham, Juventus won’t be the favorites going into the Champions League which might make Cristiano rethink his Italian adventure.
Mbappe & Co.’s bandwagon has been impossible to stop in the Champions League this season, knocking out Barcelona 5-2 and beating Bayern Munich on away goals. PSG might just be Cristiano’s best bet at a 6th Champions League trophy.
#2 Jadon Sancho
Coming in at the penultimate position is Borussia Dortmund’s Jason Sancho, who’s regarded as one of the finest upcoming talents in world football.
Unlike most Englishmen, Sancho left the Manchester City academy to look for more first-team opportunities at Borussia Dortmund. Soon after making his debut for the former German champions in the 2017/18 season, Sancho established his name as one of the first on the team sheet. In 130 appearances for the club, Sancho has been involved in 106 goals (46 goals, 60 assists) and is a crucial figure in Dortmund’s set up along with star man Erling Haaland.
Sancho will be a natural replacement for Neymar as the Englishman operates as a winger and will add immense skill and raw pace to the PSG side.
#1 Erling Haaland
Haaland is the #1 on every top club’s Wishlist, and that would be no different for PSG - regardless of Neymar’s transfer status, one would argue. At just 20, Haaland has his best years ahead of him and Dortmund’s status as a “feeder club” for some of Europe’s top dogs, might see the Norwegian shift base.
Haaland has been in stellar form this season, scoring 33 goals from 34 appearances, along with 10 assists to his name. The 20-year old is currently leading the Champions League Golden Boot race with 10 goals in Europe’s top competition, thanks to a 6-match goalscoring streak. Haaland has shown amazing consistency for someone just out of his teenage years, as he has added on to the 28 goals and 7 assists with RB Salzburg in the 2019/20 season.
Haaland has an xG (expected goals) of 15.61 this season - making him one of Europe’s top goalscorers. Dortmund are prepared to set an asking price of over £150million for the Norwegian, and in a post-COVID world, very few clubs will be able to cough up that sum. However, PSG will be one of the very few who can still afford sums in excess of £150m.
