Paris Saint-Germain’s transfer expenditure was a nine-digit figure for the first time in three summers. However, also for the first time in three years, they did not spend €50 million or more on a single player.
That means they have invested carefully in a greater number of players this time around. Instead of chasing big-money signings, they made smart additions to bolster their squad depth.
New transfer advisor Luís Campos undoubtedly had a role in this more calculated approach from the French champions. He also helped them identify and sign talented players rather than going after such players after they make the step up to the European stage, which is a far more expensive strategy.
The first man in was from Campos’ home country – namely Vitinha from Porto. He was their most expensive signing of the window, but looking at his stats in the Portuguese league last season, you can see why the investment was justified.
He also is the only new signing who played a regular starting role early this season, as he frequently started as a part of the midfield duo in Christophe Galtier’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Next up was one for the future — young Hugo Ekitike from Reims, initially on loan but with an obligation to buy. The 20-year-old striker caught the eye last season with ten goals and three assists in 24 league matches as he ended up staying put after a bit of a transfer saga with Newcastle United in January.
Ekitike was followed by another Frenchman, right wing-back Nordi Mukiele from RB Leipzig. The ex-Montpellier man looked good in the Bundesliga last season, but there is no chance of him displacing Achraf Hakimi for a starting spot.
However, he is a good back-up option to have, and his versatility and ability to play as a centre-back in a back-three will also be valued.
The remainder of PSG’s signings were all central midfielders, starting with Lille’s Renato Sanches, who is a more creative and attack-minded option for Galtier’s system, although he can also be an excellent ball progressor.
A couple of days before the end of the window, the Parisians signed Fabián Ruiz. The Spanish international was exceptional for Napoli last season and stood out thanks to his ability to handle pressure and superb ball-carrying ability, so he can add another dimension to the PSG midfield.
Finally, on deadline day, the arrival of Carlos Soler from Valencia was announced. He was a goalscoring midfielder at Valencia, but it will be tougher for him to find such a role in Galtier’s system.
On the other side of the balance sheets, PSG saw a lot of departures as they trimmed their squad and sent several players away on loan or allowed their contracts to run down.
They also made a couple of notable sales from a financial point of view, although they did not use any key players from their squad.
Of course, the best piece of business they did all summer was extending Kylian Mbappé’s contract and keeping him at the Parc de Princes for another few years at least.
They have been reaping the rewards of that decision already as Galtier has seemed to find a way to get the star-studded front-three clicking, and Mbappé already has nine goals in six matches in all competitions.
Paris Saint-Germain’s transfer window must be considered an apparent success overall. They have preserved and made some necessary additions to what is by a massive margin the best squad in France, so the Ligue 1 title is already theirs to lose.
Of course, it is the Champions League they want, and the fact that they have a solid base behind Lionel Messi, Mbappé and Neymar is a tremendous positive for them early in the season.
Stats courtesy Transfermarkt and StatsBomb via Fbref.
