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PSG have one of the most star-studded teams in Europe. With Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr. and Angel Di Maria operating up top, their attacking wealth is borderline dastardly. It is difficult to assemble a better-curated ensemble and yet Paris Saint-Germain did so by taking their time to put the pieces together.
PSG must now focus on trimming their wage bill
After a summer where they strengthened quite heavily across a variety of positions, the time has come for PSG to focus on cutting their costs. They have immense squad depth and quite a few players have already been deemed surplus to requirements.
This January transfer window offers PSG the opportunity to cash in on a few of their players. Their wage bill is extremely high following the arrivals of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georgio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi in the summer.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at five players who could leave PSG in the January transfer window.
#5 Layvin Kurzawa
Left-back Layvin Kurzawa was reportedly placed on the transfer list in the summer transfer window. The 29-year-old's consistent bouts with injuries have caused the management's patience to wear thin.
With Nuno Mendes and Juan Bernat ready to battle for the left-back spot in the starting XI, Kurzawa's future may lie away from PSG. The 29-year-old was sidelined as many as four times in the 2020-21 season due to various injuries and missed close to three months of action in total.
Kurzawa was offered an exit route in the summer by Olympique Lyon but he reportedly had a falling out with their manager Peter Bosz during a phone call. PSG have adequate cover at left-back with Nuno Mendes, Juan Bernat and Teddy Alloh. They will certainly remain open to offers for the Frenchman in January.
#4 Leandro Paredes
PSG defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes has been in poor form in the new season. After missing out on the opening weeks due to fitness issues, Paredes failed to make the most of the opportunities presented to him subsequently.
He was taken off at half-time during PSG's Champions League tie against Club Brugge which ended in a 1-1 draw. Pochettino has many options in midfield and has preferred the likes of Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye to Paredes of late.
They also have Danilo Pereira as an additional option in defensive midfield. Paredes had been linked with Inter Milan last summer but he chose to stay at PSG. But the 27-year-old could change his mind this January as he has enough quality to be a starter for a big club in Europe.
#3 Rafinha Alcantara
Rafinha Alcantara is a tidy customer whose career failed to take off due to persistent injury problems. But a move to PSG in the summer of 2020 might not have been the best option for him.
He started just 15 games in the league and could have instead been of great service to another club where he would get regular playing time. Pochettino does occasionally turn to Rafinha.
However, he has far too many players in his squad who are capable of the spectacular for him to give the Brazilian more minutes than he already does. The 28-year-old La Masia graduate is a technically gifted footballer who won't suffer from a lack of offers if he is put for sale.
#2 Julian Draxler
Once hailed as one of the biggest talents to come out of Germany in recent times, Julian Draxler's career has not exactly taken off. His wondrous displays at Schalke and Wolfsburg feel like something from the distant past and the 28-year-old could do with a move to a slightly smaller team.
PSG have plenty of quality options in attack. Draxler is currently tied to the club until 2024 and PSG could free up some funds through his sale as he could be sold for a decent sum in January.
In the 2020-21 season, Draxler scored just four goals and provided seven assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. The German international could also look to revive his career at a club where he starts more often and it would be best for all parties involved to part ways in January.
#1 Mauro Icardi
Mauro Icardi was one of Europe's most prolific goalscorers not very long ago. However, the 28-year-old's powers seem to have waned in recent times. He managed to score just 13 goals and racked up six assists in 28 appearances across all competitions for PSG last term.
He is currently being used as a substitute following Lionel Messi's arrival at the club. While Icardi is the only out-and-out striker in the side, PSG might just axe him to trim their wage bill as he is no longer undroppable.
The Argentina international is also a high-earner, reportedly earning close to £170,000 per week. That is too much money being spent on a player who is largely used as a substitute. If the right offer comes, PSG are likely to part ways with him in January.
