PSG are a few points away from winning their ninth Ligue 1 title in the past 10 seasons, but the team is likely to undergo an overhaul.
While the future of Lionel Messi is the hottest topic in football circles nowadays, especially since he’s linked to a move back to Barcelona, his teammates Neymar and Marco Verratti were also mentioned in a possible exodus this summer.
Elsewhere, Folarin Balogun continues to be a bright spot for Reims even if they’ve fallen out of the European picture, while Nice are looking to strengthen their backroom staff this upcoming offseason, starting with a new manager.
Learn more about the latest Ligue 1 2023 updates by continuing to read below.
Neymar and Verratti placed on PSG’s transfer list
Lionel Messi is not the only one who’s on the verge of leaving the French capital this summer, as Neymar and Marco Verratti are also expected to be on the move.
Neymar and Verratti are among the top 5 highest earners within the team, so the pair are placed on PSG’s transfer list, looking to raise funds for new reinforcements.
There’s no denying the talent of Neymar and Verratti, but both of them are approaching the wrong side of their 30s. And because they’ve fallen short of winning the Champions League yet again, Paris is not the place to be for these two unsettled stars.
Neymar’s 2022-23 campaign was off to a great start, but just like in the past few seasons, he has been blighted by injuries. He hasn’t made a league appearance since February after struggling with an ankle injury.
The Brazilian forward has made 29 appearances for the Parisiens this season, scoring 18 goals and dishing out 17 assists. A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with a swoop for him, such as Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Manchester United.
Verratti, meanwhile, is keen on moving back home to Italy despite signing a two-year extension back in December. Given everything he has done for the team these past few years, he is apparently dissatisfied with how the fans have treated him.
With that said, PSG are already looking ahead, and they have Bernardo Silva in their sights to retool their attack. The Manchester City star has been open about his desire to leave the Etihad for a new challenge, and perhaps going back to France is the right move.
In what could be a busy transfer window, PSG are also said to be in the mix for Les Bleus stars Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani, and they’re also looking for a centre-back and midfielder.
Balogun matches Ligue 1 record
Folarin Balogun just became the joint-highest-scoring English player in Ligue 1 history after scoring his 19th league goal of the season against RC Lens on Saturday.
He is now level with the late Frederick Kennedy, who also scored 19 Ligue 1 goals in 1935-36. If Balogun can score one more goal before the end of the season, he’ll become the outright highest-scoring Englishman in Ligue 1 history.
Prior to Saturday, Balogun went through a goalless drought, having not found the back of the net in any of his last four matches that ended in losses. Because of their barren run, Reims are no longer in contention for a European berth, according to the SBOTOP Ligue 1 2023 odds.
The Arsenal loanee will look to make his final few games at Reims count before returning to his mother club this summer, although the Gunners are inclined to sell him for as much as £30 million because he could find minutes hard to come by with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the squad.
Nice considering Potter
When Didier Digard took over after Lucien Favre was sacked in January, the 36-year-old had Nice in contention for European football, but now it’s unlikely because they’ve fallen to 10th place.
Nice are ready to part ways with their interim manager this summer, and they are reportedly looking at Graham Potter to be his successor on the touchline next season.
Chelsea hired Potter after sacking Thomas Tuchel earlier this season, but he was eventually fired after a succession of bad results. Leicester City approached Potter when he was out of a job, but he preferred to take a break from management.
If Potter agrees to become their new manager, it’ll be a solid addition for Nice. Despite his tumultuous time at Chelsea, the 47-year-old is still considered a good manager by many, having transformed Brighton and Swansea into relevant clubs in England.
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