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The Lionel Messi saga is heading to a conclusion. If things don’t change drastically, he will be a PSG player next week. It has been a tale of twists and turns, but the picture is getting clearer and clearer now.
Messi was all set to sign a contract with Barcelona, only for the La Liga salary cap to become an obstacle that would see him end his 21-year association with the club.
With Messi set to earn huge wages at PSG, they might want to sell some of their players to balance the books and be in compliance with Financial Fair Play (FFP). And Premier League clubs should capitalize on this predicament.
Here are five players from PSG that Premier League clubs should target:
1. Mauro Icardi - Time to leave PSG?
He may not have exactly set the stage on fire for PSG last season, but there is no doubt that Mauro Icardi is a talented striker. His goal-scoring record is proof. He scores a goal in every other game.
But his attitude has always been the problem. He reportedly has a difficult relationship with his teammates and manager. Maybe it’s time to test himself in the Premier League.
Premier League champions Manchester City are still trying to replace Sergio Aguero, and Icardi could be the one who can do that. Despite Harry Kane being the preferred choice for Pep Guardiola, Tottenham are adamant that they won’t sell their captain.
With the new Premier League campaign about to kick off in a week, City might want to act quickly to sign the PSG striker to get him ready for the opening weekend.
Should Manchester City somehow convince Tottenham to part with their star striker, Icardi could find a home at the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium. While he may not be at the level of Kane, one thing Icardi can promise is goals.
If they can strike a cheap deal with PSG for Icardi, Spurs will have enough money to invest elsewhere in the squad.
Tottenham’s North London rivals, Arsenal, should also have a look at Icardi. With Lacazette and Aubameyang struggling, Icardi could be the man who Kieran Tiernay needs to finish the crosses he put into the box.
Over at Merseyside, Liverpool also lacks a No 9, and Icardi could be that person.
2. Julian Draxler - A move to London might change his fortunes?
Draxler may have just signed a new deal with PSG, but it is really hard to see him getting a lot of game time next season, especially with Messi coming. And for that reason alone, he might be looking for a move away from PSG.
At 27, Draxler will want to play regularly to impress his national team manager Hansi Flick, in order to throw his name in the hat for the next international break.
Draxler will be an ideal addition for Tottenham, who have struggled for creativity since Christian Eriksen left the club. They are currently looking at Damsgaard, but that could be a risky investment, especially with a reported €40m price tag.
Other targets include Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is reportedly happy to sign a new contract at AS Roma, and Marcel Sabitzer, who wants to join Julian Nagelsmann at Bayern.
He could also prove to be a shrewd addition for Arsenal, who are looking to replace the creativity of Martin Odegaard, who is set to stay at Real Madrid following the injury to Toni Kroos.
Even though Mikel Arteta prefers James Madison, the deal will cost him around £70 million. He might be tempted to pick Draxler up on a cheaper deal and invest the money in a decent striker that he desperately needs.
3. Leandro Parades - What does Georginio Wijnaldum's signing mean for the Argentine's future?
Another one of PSG’s Argentine contingent and fresh-off-winning Copa America, the tough-tackling midfielder will be looking to build on from last season. He had played a crucial role for PSG in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
But this time, it might not be that easy. With the arrival of Georginio Wijnaldum, his playtime this season could be significantly reduced and a move away from PSG might help.
Once again, a move to Tottenham might suit the Argentine, where he could play with his international teammates Cristian Romero and Giovanni Lo Celso. Tottenham is looking for a creative midfielder, and if you take the performance in Euro as proof, they might already have one in Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
But the problem is moving Højbjerg up the pitch. Tottenham need someone who can sit in front of the defense and break up the opposition’s play, the role he did so elegantly last season, and Parades could be that guy.
4. Abdou Diallo - Ramos could force his exit from PSG
Life hasn’t been kind to Abdou Diallo. After impressing at Borussia Dortmund, the Senegalese international joined PSG, but things haven’t moved according to plan ever since. With the arrival of Sergio Ramos, he is now even further down the pecking order and appears to have a future elsewhere.
Premier League clubs looking out for a new centre-back might want to look at PSG for their new signing.
Chelsea are negotiating with Sevilla for Kounde but are struggling to reach an agreement. So why not look to raid Thomas Tuchel’s former club? Diallo will get a chance to play under a manager who knows all about him, which might help kick start his career once again.
Apart from Chelsea, Tottenham, despite signing Romero, still need at least one more centre-back given how unreliable Davidson Sanchez and Eric Dier have been.
Manchester United, who have already agreed on a deal with Real Madrid for Raphaël Varane, will need a quality backup option. The PSG defender could fit the bill.
6. Thilo Kehrer - An ideal opportunity for the North London Clubs
Here is another player who suffered not because of the squad depth PSG possesses, but because he doesn’t have the requisite quality. If you put the PSG centre-backs in the pecking order, Thilo Kehrer will be the fourth choice just above Abdou Diallo. That is not a nice place to be, especially when you are 24 years old.
However, if he does choose to move, he will have plenty of options in the Premier League that will suit him.
Let’s start with Manchester United, who are looking at Kieran Trippier to provide competition for Wan-Bissaka. So far, the negotiations with Atletico Madrid have been fruitless because of the price tag.
So why not sign the German international, who will be available for a much lower price and can play as both a centre-back and a right-back?
Coming to London, the right-back position has been a problem for Trippier’s former club Tottenham ever since he left. Matt Doherty hasn’t exactly lit up Wembley by his performances. With Serge Aurier confirming he is looking to leave the club, this is a move that will suit both parties.
Tottenham need a centre-back and a right-back, so why not kill two birdies with one shot?
Across north London, Arsenal are also looking for a new right-back. Max Aarons is a reported target; with Norwich already selling Buendia and potentially selling Cantwell, they might hold onto Aarons. So why not go for a PSG defender at a lower price?
