PSG, useful idiot of the transfer window?

The management of Paris Saint-Germain often shows a kind of naivety, even incompetence, during transfer periods. The latest example is the case of Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves.

Failing to win the Champions League, the

PSG Qatar version does not have many opponents when it comes to enriching football players. European agents and clubs know that Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president of the capital club, approves astonishing transfer amounts.

The latest example, the leaders of Benfica Lisbon have once again carried out a superb financial operation with their Parisian counterparts. Joao Neves, a 19-year-old midfielder, will be sold for 70 million euros (bonuses included), several media outlets indicate, including

RMC SportSuch a sum for a young, unconfirmed international always raises questions.

Benfica and Jorge Mendes are gorging themselves

A year ago, PSG had already agreed to spend 60M for another midfielder, Manuel Ugarte, from another Liga Betclic club, Sporting Portugal. The 23-year-old Uruguayan international has not established himself as an undisputed starter for the team coached by Luis Enrique.

Regarding Joao Neves, also presented as a formidable potential (perhaps to justify a dubious transfer price), we have the right to be perplexed. As with the 60 million euros paid for the Portuguese center forward, Gonçalo Ramos, also recruited in the summer of 2023 from… Benfica.

Kolo Muani, a total failure?

Ramos kept his substitute status all last season. And PSG are currently looking for a center forward, a scorer, after Kylian Mbappé left for Real Madrid. The Parisian leaders therefore consider that Ramos is still not the right fit. Another admission of failure in this recruitment. And the feeling of money thrown out the window.

And what about Randal Kolo Muani, bought for… 95 million euros a year ago? The French striker did not justify such a price at all in 2023-2024. A finding confirmed with a more than average performance at Euro 2024. Other observers see another explanation for these rather crazy sums for rather mediocre results.

PSG’s Portuguese sporting director Luis Campos and his compatriot, the famous agent Jorge Mendes

takes advantage of the Parisian golden goose to sign big contracts, collect large commissions and very often offer high salaries to overrated players. * –

PSG previously spent 60 million on Manuel Ugarte and Gonçalo Ramos, who failed to establish themselves as undisputed starters.