Do PSG Really Need Neymar Or Alexis Sanchez?

PSG have been linked with a move for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez – Credit: Getty Images

PSG could be on the verge of completing a massive transfer in the coming days. One that would instantly make them a top contender for the UEFA Champions League title.

The Ligue 1 giants have been rumoured to be in the market for a world-class forward this summer. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was an option, but PSG discarded the move for the Dortmund star a while ago. And right now, PSG have been linked with a move for both Alexis Sanchez and Neymar.

Recent reports have indicated that PSG re-activated the talks with Arsenal for Sanchez this Wednesday. On the other hand, they were also linked with a move for Neymar, and Brazilian media outlets suggested that the French club is willing to pay the Brazilian’s €222 million release clause. Let’s take a deeper look on how the market treats both players, and ultimately if this would push PSG over the top in their goal to win an European title in the coming years.

Market Value For Both Players

There are two things that stand out analysing the market value for both Neymar and Alexis. The first one is that both are among the top forwards in the world. And the second one is that PSG will have to overpay to get their services. Considering how crazy the transfer market has been this year, it wouldn’t be surprising if PSG end up paying more than €300 million for both players combined.

According to Transfermarkt, Neymar is valued at €100 million while Sanchez’s one is at €65M. But Barcelona will not let his star forward leave for anything less than his release clause, while Arsenal does not want to sell Alexis for less than €80M.

One interesting thing is that both players are in the Top 15 of most expensive players in the world, with Neymar ranking second only behind Lionel Messi.

Do PSG Really Need Them?

A potential move for either Neymar or Alexis would create quite a logjam in PSG’s attacking line. They already have Lucas Moura, Julian Draxler, and Angel Di Maria on the wings, while also featuring Edinson Cavani at the striker role. Aside from the fact Lucas would likely leave if either of the two new players arrive, there could also be an abundance of riches in PSG’s attacking line.

The main question should be – do they really them to spend that much money on either Alexis or Neymar? Alexis would cost nearly €90 million, while Neymar’s release clause goes over the €200 million mark. Needless to say that is a lot of money. And PSG could use that cash to improve the team on other areas of the pitch.

Of course, that scenario creates other question. Where could PSG spend that money? They already have two world-class centre-backs in Marquinhos and Thiago Silva. They signed Dani Alves for free. And have one of the best central midfielders in the world in Marco Verratti. They could sign another CM to pair with the Italian, but there are not too many available on the transfer market to begin with,

Final Thoughts

PSG are a team with a clear objective: they want to win the UEFA Champions League this next season. They already have some of the best players in the world. But they need to sign another star player if they want to reach that goal. After all, they need to compete with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and Manchester City.

And for that to happen, either Neymar or Alexis Sanchez could easily become the missing piece of the club’s puzzle for the 2017-18 campaign.