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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are close to defending their Ligue 1 title this season. Christophe Galtier’s team are atop the league after 35 games and next play Auxerre on Sunday (May 21).
Meanwhile, Achraf Hakimi is likely to move to the Premier League. Elsewhere, the Parisians are interested in a Lazio midfielder. On that note, here's a look at the key PSG transfer stories as on May 19, 2023
Achraf Hakimi likely to move to Premier League
Journalist Jonathan Johnson reckons Achraf Hakimi will eventually move to the Premier League. The Moroccan right-back has blown hot and cold this season and remains linked with a move away from PSG.
In his column for Caught Offside, Johnson said that while the Parisians could let him go for the right price, a move is unlikely this summer.
“In terms of Hakimi, let’s not forget that despite the fact he had a fantastic World Cup, it’s been extremely problematic for him off the pitch in recent months. The rape allegations have become a touchy subject around PSG, and my feeling, because he hasn’t been at his absolute best since arriving at PSG, even though there have been moments, don’t get me wrong, is if the right offer came in, PSG would at least consider it,” wrote Johnson.
He continued:
“The other thing that they have to take into account is that Hakimi is extremely close to Kylian Mbappe, so whilst Mbappe stays, which will be the case for next season, I find it difficult to see Hakimi going, or at least I would say there are other names that PSG would be more likely to move on.”
Johnson also said that Hakimi is unlikely to return to the Santiago Bernabeu due to a frosty relationship between Real Madrid and the Ligue 1 champions.
“If I had to pick a potential destination, I’d say England is more likely, considering PSG would demand quite a high fee bearing in mind what they paid for Hakimi. La Liga seems difficult in terms of the limitations with the salary cap, that kind of thing, but then again, if he was to go back to Real Madrid at some point, I guess that could potentially change the situation,” wrote Johnson.
He concluded:
“The chances of PSG and Real Madrid doing business, given how things were relating to the Kylian Mbappe situation a year ago, however, means I find it doubtful that PSG would come to the table to negotiate that deal.”
Hakimi’s contract with PSG runs till the summer of 2026.
PSG eyeing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
PSG are interested in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to Il Tempo via PSG Talk. The Serbian midfielder enters the final year of his contract with Lazio this summer but is unlikely to extend his stay at the club. The 28-year-old was previously valued at €100 million but is likely to be available for €40 million this summer.
With Lionel Messi and Neymar heavily linked with an exit from Paris, the Parisians will need to inject a shot of creativity into their squad this summer. Milinkovic-Savic could be the ideal man for the job, given his enviable track record with Lazio. However, the Ligue 1 champions face competition from Juventus for his signature.
David Beckham opens up on his time in Paris
Manchester United legend David Beckham has said that PSG treated him like family, even though he only stayed at the club for six months. The Englishman joined the Parisians in January 2013 in a six-month deal till the rest of the season and won the Ligue 1 title.
Speaking recently, Beckham fondly recalled playing for the French giants.
“I will always remember what they did for me, the way they treated me and the attitude of the PSG supporters towards me. Even though I only stayed six months, I felt like I was treated like I had been there for 16 years and was part of this family,” said Beckham.
He added:
“They said to me, ‘We know you’re out of contract. We haven’t won the championship for a while. We are in good shape, but we think that if you come to the team for the rest of the season, you will give us a little boost’.”
Beckham continued:
“So the opportunity to be part of the team they had … There was a young Thiago Silva; they had Motta, Maxwell, a young Verratti, and obviously Zlatan and a lot of other great players. It got me excited and gave me the opportunity to play for another team in Europe, one of the biggest. I couldn’t refuse.”
Beckham hung up his boots at the end of his tenure with PSG.
