The reigning champions of France, Paris Saint-Germain, are enduring some difficult times at the moment. Their ultras have been voicing their discontent with some of the club’s highest earners, with a viral social media video claiming that the players don’t care for the club and are only in Paris for the money. That wouldn’t surprise us. But despite losing 3-1 at Monaco on February 11, odds checker, which compares European football odds and free offers, still makes the Parisians the favorites to retain their Ligue 1 crown this term.
And those predictions would seem accurate. The reigning champions are five points clear of second place Marseilles and look well on course for a record-breaking 11th French title. They are also still alive in Europe and face Bayern Munich in the last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League in a repeat of the 2020 final. That year, former PSG youngster Kingsley Coman bagged the only goal of the game in the Lisbon showpiece. Nasser Al-Khelaifi will be hoping that his star-studded squad can gain revenge three years on.
Since Al-Khelaifi and his Qatar Sports Investments took charge of the club in 2011, PSG has been one of the biggest spenders. For years they have signed some of the biggest names in football. Here are their five most expensive signings.
Neymar Jr.
Signed from Barcelona in 2017 for a world-record fee of €222 million, Neymar quickly became the world’s most expensive footballer. He has since gone on to become a star in the French capital, scoring over 100 goals and helping the club to four Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France trophies, and two Coupe de la Ligue titles.
During his five and a half years in the French capital, the former Santos youngster has scored 117 goals and provided a further 76 assists in 171 games. Now, however, he is 31 years of age, and the club’s maiden UEFA Champions League triumph – the reason why they bought Neymar in the first place – has still not arrived.
Kylian Mbappé
Signed on a permanent deal from Monaco in 2018 for €180 million, Mbappé has been a revelation since joining the Parisian side. He has scored over 196 goals and made over 243 appearances in all competitions for the club, helping them to four Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France trophies, and two Coupe de la Ligue titles.
Mbappé is widely considered to be one of the best players in the world and his future looks even brighter. He renewed his contract with the club last summer and, as it stands, he is perhaps the best player on the planet. His hat trick against Argentina in the World Cup final would back that up.
Edinson Cavani
Signed from Napoli in 2013 for €64 million, Cavani was one of the most sought-after strikers in the world. He has had a successful spell in the French capital, scoring over 200 goals and making over 300 appearances in all competitions for the club. He has helped PSG to a whopping six Ligue 1 titles, as well as five Coupe de France trophies, and six Coupe de la Ligue titles. He is currently the most prolific striker in PSG’s history.
Angel Di Maria
Signed from Manchester United in 2015 for €63 million, di Maria has been one of the most consistent players for PSG since joining. He has scored over 50 goals and made over 150 appearances in all competitions for the club, helping them to five Ligue 1 titles, five Coupe de France trophies, and four Coupe de la Ligue titles. Despite being 33, Di Maria continues to be a creative force in midfield and was crucial to Argentina’s World Cup success. He joined Juventus last summer on a free transfer.
Achraf Hakimi
Signed from Inter Milan in 2021 for €60 million, Hakimi is one of the most exciting additions to PSG in recent years. He has established himself as an important player for the team, making over 70 appearances in all competitions, as well as picking up a Ligue 1 winners medal last season. As well as that, Hakimi was crucial in helping Morocco become Africa’s first World Cup semi-finalist in Qatar.
