Wednesday, 26th June, 2013
Paris Saint-Germain’s managerial saga may have come to an end yesterday, but Laurent Blanc has the task of setting the transfer agenda in the summer, with Edinson Cavani, Dani Alves and David Luiz high on the list, according to L’Equipe.
The capital club are looking to shore up their ranks in various quarters, including up front, and will be keen to use their Qatari backing to the full extent, a privilege that has already seen them spend around €250m thus far.
Former Bordeaux coach Blanc was yesterday named as PSG manager on a two-year deal, but it is understood the club’s summer wish list had long been in the pipeline.
Despite the uncertainty around Carlo Ancelotti’s departure earlier in the summer, PSG had put Luiz, Alves and Cavani on their radar, alongside Lille left-back Lucas Digne and Roma defender Marquinhos.
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Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel has already hinted at a desire to play for the Ligue 1 champions, but it remains to be seen if Blanc will still be willing for an erstwhile big-money swoop.
The Belgian was bought by Zenit from Benfica last year for €40m on a five-year deal, and has impressed with 44 appearances so far.
Cavani, meanwhile, has the added complication of a €63m release clause at Serie A club Napoli, and is understood to be one of Real Madrid’s priority targets.
Chelsea and Manchester City are also in the hunt for the Uruguayan, currently playing in the Confederations Cup, but are not so keen on the financial impact his transfer could entail.
Mercurial defender Luiz is also a part of this year’s Confederations Cup in Brazil, but has garnered interest from Barcelona amid previous uncertainty around Chelsea’s own managerial situation.
Barcelona will face a battle to hold on to Alves, with the defender having shown admiration for PSG’s "wonderful project", even if he is contracted with the Catalan club until the end of the 2014/2015 season.
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