How Paris Saint-Germain could line up in the 2021/22 season

There’s been a lot of talk recently about how most clubs will struggle to complete any big-money deals in this summer’s transfer market – Paris Saint-Germain aren’t ‘most clubs’.

The Ligue 1 outfit are seemingly undeterred by the impact coronavirus has had on their finances and are pushing forward with their transfer business as though they’re funded by an entire state – very weird, we know.

It remains to be seen whether Mauricio Pochettino will still be at the helm in a couple of months’ time, but regardless of who is in the hot seat you can guarantee plenty of big-name arrivals this summer, and 90min have taken a look at how they could line up next season…

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma

First up on the list of new arrivals expected in Paris is Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Les Parisiens are understood to have thrashed out terms with the highly-rated shot-stopper after it was revealed he would be departing Milan.

With Keylor Navas having recently signed a new deal it seems unlikely the Costa Rica international will be moving on, and if he does stay in the French capital PSG will have two quality goalkeepers on their books.

If Navas does stay at the club, Donnarumma is still expected to be number one and he’s a brilliant addition to an already star-studded squad.

RB: Achraf Hakimi

We told you they weren’t messing about in the market this summer.

One of the reported reasons Antonio Conte left Inter so soon after their Scudetto win was the club’s insistence on selling some of their biggest stars to generate cash, and Achraf Hakimi is one of those who could be heading for the exit door.

PSG face stiff competition from Chelsea for the Moroccan’s signature, but if the French giants can reach an agreement with Inter it’ll be a huge coup as they look to strengthen their backline.

CB: Marquinhos

While PSG have been linked with a whole host of defensive reinforcements, their first-choice central defensive options are very much settled.

Club captain Marquinhos suffered a number of injury problems last season, but when fit he’s an automatic starter and even if they do look to bolster their options he’ll remain one of the first names on the team sheet.

CB: Presnel Kimpembe

Marquinhos’ centre back partner Presnel Kimpembe is another player you can expect to retain his place in the starting XI next season.

The Frenchman also suffered a couple of knocks throughout the last campaign that disrupted both his and his side’s season, but when fit he’s a top defender and at just 25 there’s still plenty of time for him to develop into an even better centre back.

LB: Theo Hernandez

One of the problem areas in PSG’s squad was at full back and they’re well on their way to addressing them.

Theo Hernandez is another big name potentially on his way out of Milan this summer and PSG are in pole position to snap him up.

With I Rossoneri slapping a €40m (£34.4m) price tag on the Frenchman’s head it remains to be seen if PSG will match their valuation, though it seems unlikely they’ll be put off by the price given their need to strengthen and the quality Hernandez would bring.

CM: Georginio Wijnaldum

Seriously, are any of the 2020/21 squad getting a look-in?

PSG probably don’t even want to sign Georginio Wijnaldum – they’re just doing it to prove they can.

With the Dutchman not expected to sign a new deal at Liverpool any time soon he’ll be a free agent this summer, and having looked destined for a move to Barcelona, PSG have swooped in late on to mess it all up.

Wijnaldum looks to be on his way to PSG and in fairness you can’t argue with the signing considering the quality he’ll bring.

CM: Marco Verratti

We’d like to celebrate the fact we’ve finally got another member of the 2020/21 squad in next season’s starting XI but even this one isn’t nailed on.

Chelsea are rumoured to be exploring the possibility of a move for Marco Verratti but in truth it seems highly unlikely Les Parisiens would let a player of his ability leave.

Expect Verratti to remain at the club as they look to win back their French crown.

AM: Neymar

Another man who’ll unquestionably be central in their efforts to win back the Lique 1 trophy.

Questions have been raised over Neymar’s future in Paris, but having put pen to paper on a new deal said rumours have disappeared.

He’ll no doubt be pining for a move back to Barcelona once again in the near future, but for now he’s staying at PSG.

RW: Angel Di Maria

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Pochettino delve into the transfer market looking for a new right winger this summer.

At 33 Angel Di Maria’s definitely in the twilight of his career, but his stats from last season prove he can still cut it at the top level and having signed a one-year extension at PSG it seems they may be prioritising other positions before looking for his replacement.

ST: Mauro Icardi

Mauro Icardi had something of an injury nightmare last season and given he only started 11 Ligue 1 games his tally of seven goals isn’t actually too bad.

Moise Kean did a superb job at deputising for the Argentina international, but with Everton reportedly demanding as much as £55m for the Frenchman a permanent deal looks to be some way off.

Expect Icardi to lead the line next season as he looks to put his injury nightmares behind him.

LW: Kylian Mbappe

If you ask Real Madrid president Florentino Perez whether Kylian Mbappe will be in the PSG frontline next season he’d probably say ‘no’, though his equivalent at PSG has other ideas.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi has claimed the club will never sell Mbappe, scuppering Real’s pursuit of the 22-year-old.

We’ve no doubt it won’t stop Los Blancos from trying, but given Al-Khelaifi’s comments you can expect Mbappe to be in Paris next season.