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This summer was a pretty eventful one for Paris Saint-Germain with the world record transfer of Neymar and the season-long loan deal for Kylian Mbappe.
The deals have also brought about the question of FFP rules violations following which UEFA reportedly opened investigations in light of the transfers.
Nevertheless, the two arrivals have certainly made the Parisians' attack an entirely different proposition while also pushing other players to the fringes at the same time.
The PSG squad boasts some wonderful talents who might not be around by the time January ends due to a lack of playing time at the moment. We take a look at five players whose futures are likely to be away from the Parc des Princes.
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#1 Hatem Ben Arfa
"He's shown at Nice that he can make the difference with the ball. Hatem has the level of Messi but has not chosen correctly." - Karim Benzema.
This statement gives an idea of the class of Ben Arfa and at the same time, highlights the profligate nature of the player.
His stints at previous clubs have always been filled with drama and controversy, including disputes, scuffles and problems related to training.
His season with Nice in 2015/2016 was the exception though, one in which he scored 18 goals in 37 games for the club, looking every bit the player fans had hoped he would become.
The performances appeared to be an indication of the progress he had made following years of struggle and despair. His reward was a move to the capital club, a perfect place to showcase his flair and skill on the ball.
What went wrong?
This was an opportunity to finally silence his doubters and make up for lost time. The start was encouraging as he scored on his debut for PSG.
However, as the season wore on, old demons resurfaced and started to haunt him again.
Ben Arfa usually thrives when he is the main man at the club which is impossible at PSG. He is not the first choice he always was in Nice, and has had to compete with Angel Di Maria and Lucas for starting berths.
Possible destinations
A move to Leicester City was reported with the Frenchman ready to reunite with Claude Puel, who managed him at Nice.
Interest from Turkish clubs has also made the rounds, although Ben Arfa might prefer a return to England.
His PSG career is all but over after his relationship with coach Unai Emery further deteriorated, resulting in him making allegations about the club.
It's now a question of when, not if, Ben Arfa departs. A transfer in January will be best for both parties.
#2 Kevin Trapp
When PSG signed Trapp from Frankfurt in the summer of 2015, some considered it unnecessary as he wasn't world-class. Former PSG keeper Gregory Coupet said about the signing of Trapp:
What state is it going to put Salvatore Sirigu and Nicolas Douchez into with the arrival of a third goalkeeper?
"If they had brought in Petr Cech, it would have been clear for everyone. With this, they're going to create an incredible mess."
Trapp was relatively unknown outside German circles when he signed for PSG and started the 2015/2016 season behind Sirigu.
He replaced the Italian mid-season and looked to have cemented his status as the first-choice for the club, maintaining his spot in the side although the disappointment in the league and in Europe raised questions about his performances.
Despite being the first choice at the start of the season, he has lost his place to Alphonse Areola and there isn't any indication of him getting it back anytime soon with manager Unai Emery impressed by the young Frenchman.
What went wrong?
The German has done very little to damage his reputation at PSG. It's just a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
He is not in the same bracket as a Manuel Neuer or a David de Gea, making it easy for him to be supplanted by a young, homegrown keeper.
Any club would want a homegrown player to succeed in the current scenario. And there is a feeling that Trapp has not progressed into the elite stopper PSG hoped he would when they signed him.
Last season was a nightmare for the French club with disappointment in the league and in Europe further throwing shade on the credentials of the German shot-stopper.
Possible destinations
It's somewhat unfair to the German to be expected to sit on the bench for the whole season. The timing couldn't have been worse with a place in the World Cup squad on the line.
He started in the recent friendlies for Germany and needs to play more if he is to guarantee a place in the German squad, something he admitted himself recently. A loan move is a possibility in January with an option of a permanent transfer. Borussia Dortmund are reportedly interested along with Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen.
#3 Lucas Moura
The Brazilian was signed by PSG for €45 million after they fended off competition from Manchester United and Inter Milan in 2012. The fee was a substantial amount for the then 20-year-old and he was expected to be a future superstar for the Parisians.
Since then, he has shown flashes of brilliance on several occasions but has largely flattered to deceive with inconsistency and overplaying often associated with the player.
A player whom fans hoped would emulate another Brazilian great Ronaldinho, Moura has left the supporters frustrated in spite of his potential and the excitement he brings to the game.
This season will be more challenging for Lucas as he competes with Neymar and Mbappe for a starting spot. The signings PSG have made in the last two transfer windows suggest that they might have run out of patience and may be ready to cash in on the Brazilian.
What went wrong?
It was never the ability that was in question rather the end product. His failure to progress into an established member of the team despite being at the club for five seasons has disappointed many within the club.
In a league where PSG are expected to steamroll opponents, he has scored 31 goals in 145 appearances which can be considered ordinary. Moreover, just three goals in the Champions League ever since making his debut highlights his lack of impact.
It's also interesting to note that Lucas was specifically brought in along with other notable stars in order for the French club to compete in Europe. A full international by the age of 19, he was leading the attack at former club Sao Paulo, so rotation is something he is not used to. The competition for places at the French club means he is not a regular starter, something that has dented his confidence.
Possible destinations
When PSG signed Lucas, they expected a career trajectory similar to that of Neymar at Barcelona. Their summer acquisition of Neymar now tells the whole story. Lucas is no longer the man to lead the line. He was afforded the time to claim a place but his failure remains a source of frustration for all fans.
However, he won't be short of suitors with Premier league and Italian clubs interested in his services. PSG would want to recoup as much as they can with the player still attractive on the transfer market. The sooner he leaves the better for his career. A permanent transfer in January is likely.
#4 Javier Pastore
The Argentinian was the first big signing after Qatar Sports Investment's takeover of PSG in 2011. He arrived as one of the most exciting players following his spell with Palermo in Italy.
His arrival was supposed to mark the beginning of a new PSG era; he was considered a leader who would guide PSG to success. A player boasting excellent technique and an eye for goal, Pastore should have been the star of the team by now but inconsistency and failure to step up his game have hindered his path to stardom.
For the past two seasons, his involvement has decreased significantly, making him a forgotten man in Paris.
What went wrong?
His failure to sustain his form for the entirety of a season has been apparent during his time at PSG. He shines during the start of the season and tails off as the season progresses with notable performances few and far between.
This erratic nature has prevented him from becoming a permanent fixture. Injuries have also played a major role. He has appeared just 30 times in the last two seasons for the club due to injuries, a low total for a player of his calibre.
Possible destinations
Although he is on the fringes at PSG, that hasn't detracted big clubs from showing interest in him. Chelsea and Liverpool have been touted as possible destinations in January with PSG reportedly willing to listen to offers.
A return to Italy with Inter, who were heavily linked with the player before his move to Paris, is a possibility. Although Pastore wants to stay, he will need to play more to have any chance of getting back into the national team for the World Cup.
#5 Angel Di Maria
Since his departure from Real Madrid, Di Maria has failed to replicate the form that made him one of the best players in the world. An ill-fated spell at Manchester United was cut-short after a season, following which he headed to PSG in the summer of 2015.
He has had a mixed stint since his arrival, winning all the domestic honours in his first season and forming a lethal partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The departure of the big Swede should have led to Di Maria increasing his influence in the squad, however, he failed miserably last season. He has struggled to get into the first team regularly this season due to the arrival of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and looks set to feature from the bench in the near future as well.
What went wrong?
Di Maria is a player who excels when he is surrounded by top-quality individuals. In his time at Real Madrid, he featured alongside the likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Kroos, who were world-class. Similarly, his partnership with Messi for the Argentine national team always brought the best out of him.
He has always been a player who has excelled when the spotlight has not been on him though. He arrived at Manchester United when they were lacking quality in their squad with both Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie on the decline and a midfield unit lacking spark and dynamism.
This was the case last season with PSG as well. The arrival of Julian Draxler too has hindered his opportunities.
Possible destinations
The arrival of Neymar and Mbappe has clearly affected Di Maria. PSG will need to sell some of their players to comply with FFP and Di Maria could be the one to be sacrificed. Moreover, he will struggle to play often as his favoured wide position is being occupied by the summer arrivals.
England is unlikely to be a destination after his experience at United. A move to China is in the pipeline according to many reports. A summer move to Barcelona failed to materialise and the Catalans could reignite their interest if they fail to land Philippe Coutinho. Nevertheless, Di Maria and PSG look set to part ways sooner rather than later.
