Transfer Centre

Paris Saint-Germain 'ready to offload one star forward to trim wage bill'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 26 February 2023

PSG 'ready to offload one star forward to trim wage bill'

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly ready to let one of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar or Lionel Messi leave this summer in order to trim their wage bill by 30%.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly prepared to sever ties with one of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar or Lionel Messi this summer to trim their wage bill.

Messi's arrival at the Parc des Princes in 2021 completed one of the most fearsome attacking tridents in football, and the stars have shone for Christophe Galtier's side this season.

Messi, Mbappe and Neymar have 61 goals and 37 assists between them across all competitions in the current season, allowing PSG to open up a five-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table and advance to the Champions League knockout stages.

However, Les Parisiens' form since the turn of the year has been underwhelming, and they are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League after losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

All of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar have seen their futures called into question at various points throughout the season, and according to The Times, PSG are ready to let one of them leave this summer.

Lionel Messi in action for Paris Saint-Germain on November 2, 2022 © Reuters

The report claims that PSG's owners QSI must slash their wage bill by 30% ahead of the 2023-24 season, having reached a settlement agreement with UEFA over Financial Fair Play rules.

As things stand, Messi is seemingly the most likely to depart the Parc des Princes at the end of the campaign, when his current contract is due to expire, although PSG can trigger an extension until 2024.

Since the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to Camp des Loges as a World Cup winner, PSG have prioritised a contract extension for Messi, who has found his feet in Paris after a difficult opening year.

Despite initial optimism that a deal could be agreed, little progress has been made in tying Messi down a new contract, and he is now said to be leaning towards an exit in a few months' time.

A remarkable return to Barcelona has been ruled out by his father, but MLS giants Inter Miami and clubs in Saudi Arabia are hopeful of tempting Messi to end his illustrious stint in Europe.

Neymar in action for Paris Saint-Germain on October 8, 2022 © Reuters

Meanwhile, Neymar's contract runs until 2025 with the option of a further year, and the Brazil international reportedly has no intention of leaving before his terms expire.

Nevertheless, a host of Premier League clubs are believed to have been offered the chance to sign Neymar, whose off-field lifestyle continues to draw attention and criticism.

Finally, Mbappe had seemingly ended speculation surrounding his future by signing a new three-year deal last summer, but only a few months later, reports emerged claiming that he had performed another U-turn and wanted to leave.

Real Madrid's interest in the 24-year-old has dwindled since last year's transfer saga, although Manchester United are said to be considering a big-money swoop should a lucrative takeover go through this summer.

PSG can extend their lead over Marseille at the top of the Ligue 1 table to eight points when they take on Les Olympiens in Le Classique on Sunday night.