PSG's 5 unwanted stars & where they could move next
By Ali Rampling
The Thomas Tuchel era came to an end at Paris Saint-Germain just before Christmas, and the start of 2021 has seen the German replaced by Mauricio Pochettino as expected.
The former Tottenham boss has been out of management since being dismissed by Daniel Levy in November 2019, and takes charge of a team brimming with world-class talent.
However, there are also a number of players free to depart the club, with L'Equipe naming five stars that PSG have made available for transfer in the January window in a bid to raise funds. Let's take a look at who they are and where they could end up.
1. Julian Draxler
Draxler joined PSG from Wolfsburg in 2017, but has been restricted to just five starts this season.
The World Cup winner's current deal expires in June 2021, and he is therefore now free to negotiate a pre-contract with whomever he chooses. However, reports from L'Equipe and Le Parisien suggest he has no interest in leaving the French capital in January.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via TEAMtalk), Leeds have emerged as potential suitors again - having been linked with a move for Draxler during the previous window - but could face competition from Hertha BSC, in addition to Inter and city rivals Milan.
2. Leandro Paredes
Paredes has also seen his playing time restricted this term, starting just five times in Ligue 1 thus far. The Argentine was the third most expensive signing of Tuchel's tenure, moving to PSG from Zenit in a €40m deal in 2019.
Reports in France have suggested that Inter could be open to a move for the midfielder as part of a swap deal, with Christian Eriksen going in the opposite direction to end his miserable spell in Italy and team up with his former Spurs boss Pochettino.
However, Le Parisien (via Get French Football News) report that, like Draxler, Paredes has no intention of leaving PSG in January - and is excited to link up with his compatriot Pochettino in the French capital. His contract expires in June 2023.
3. Idrissa Gueye
Gueye joined PSG from Everton in a £30m move in the summer of 2019 and has been in and out of the side this season, starting eight of their 17 Ligue 1 matches.
Le10Sport reported in August that both Manchester United and Wolves were interested in bringing the defensive midfielder back to the Premier League.
However, L'Equipe report that there are no current offers for Gueye, and he would only consider leaving for another top European club. His PSG deal expires in 2023.
4. Thilo Kehrer
Kehrer joined PSG from Schalke for €37m in 2018, but has spent much of his time in the French capital warming the bench, only starting six games in all competitions this season.
The Sun briefly mention Chelsea as a potential destination for the defender, who - at 24 - could be a long-term replacement for Thiago Silva. However, this move was only in the long-winded, hypothetical scenario of Blues boss Frank Lampard being replaced by Thomas Tuchel - the man who brought Kehrer to PSG in the first place.
He was also linked with a move to Bayern Munich during the 2020 summer transfer window, and his five-year PSG deal expires in 2023.
5. Ander Herrera
Herrera moved to PSG from Manchester United in the summer of 2019, but saw his debut season at the Parc de Princes heavily disrupted by various hamstring, thigh and calf injuries.
The midfielder is one appearance away from matching his entire total from last season (22) - but has started just two of PSG's last seven outings in Ligue 1.
L'Equipe report that PSG are prepared to let the 31-year-old depart if a club comes in with an appropriate offer. However, Herrera still has four years left to run on the five-year deal he signed upon joining the club, and there is little paper talk linking him with interest from elsewhere.