PSG are apparently preparing themselves for a total revamp in the upcoming transfer window after reports that Neymar and Marco Verratti are nearing the exit door.
Previously two stalwarts of Paris’ squad, the pair look set to leave Le Parc des Princes at the end of this campaign.
According to The Mirror, Neymar may depart PSG as a result of fan animosity. Ultras have protested outside the Brazilian star’s home, prompting him to want to go elsewhere.
Neymar spent most of last summer linked with a move away from Paris. So, we can expect the same during the next transfer window. Speculation suggests that a Premier League club may take a gamble on the 31-year-old – despite his current injury problems and history.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain may let Marco Verratti walk this summer, too. Le Parisien (via GFFN) reports that the club hierarchy view him as expendable. Their reasons include reservations about his lifestyle, plus Verratti’s expensive contract. In addition, per L’Equipe, the player is open to a change of scenery.
When this coincides with a decline in performance during the 2022/23 season, Verratti may leave PSG alongside Neymar.
The pair’s departure would further signal a shift in culture at PSG. If they go, the Parisians would be losing two cornerstones of their team from the last five years.
Neymar and Verratti: their time together at PSG
Since joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2012, Marco Verratti has been a regular fixture in the Ligue 1 side’s midfield. He is second all-time in appearances for the club, with 413 at the time of writing.
During his eleven years in Paris, the Italian has been PSG’s tempo-setting midfield anchor. Verratti has won eight league titles, six Coupe de France, and six Coupe de la Ligue trophies, playing an important role in all.
However, his numbers – although never dramatically high – have fallen off recently. As a holding midfielder, Verratti is never meant to put up loads of goals and assists. But, in 2022/23, he has registered just one assist across 35 games in all comps – demonstrating his diminishing impact on the team.
And, like Neymar, Marco Verratti has dealt with injury issues during his PSG career.
After his world-record transfer to Paris in 2017, Neymar picked up four Ligue 1 crowns, three Coupe de France, and two Coupe de la Ligue wins alongside Verratti. Additionally, when fit, the Brazilian forward has put up insane numbers: 118 goals and 77 assists from just 173 games.
That is also where the problem lies, though. With 173 games from six campaigns, Neymar has averaged only 28 appearances per season. This exemplifies the sheer number of injuries their No.10 has had to deal with.
Both Verratti and Neymar have also not delivered in one crucial competition: the Champions League. Yes, PSG did reach the final in 2019/20, but they came up short against Bayern Munich. This is the closest the club has been to the UCL, despite teaming Neymar up with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
Whether it is Messi, Neymar, Verratti, or all three, some big names will likely leave PSG this summer.
Featured image credit: Getty
