There are four players in a stand-by position with their respective club and who are waiting for the summer transfer window to conclude. Those four players are in this situation because of the aftermath of the blockbuster Neymar signing to Paris Saint-Germain. After losing one of its best players, FC Barcelona has been looking to replace him. PSG owned and back by the country of Qatar still want to invest more money to build a team that can win the Champions League now.
Kylian Mbappé (AS Monaco). The French teenager and superstar is estimated to be worthing over $210M USD and is arguably the best prospect in the world right now. After a stunning first season as a professional with French champion AS Monaco, he recently announced his desire to leave the principality of Monaco to Paris and join Neymar for the most exciting duo of forward in the world. Yet, Monaco is not selling and unwilling to strengthen a rival in French Ligue 1. Therefore, the youngstar has been benched for the past two games. His coach claims he is not at 100% to play but also hr might never wear the red and white jersey again….
Ousmane Dembélé (Borussia Dortmund). Another French young rising star is on the verge of singing with FC Barcelona who identified him as Neymar’s replacement. The player and the Catalan club came to an agreement as far as contract terms but Barça has yet to meet Borussia Dortmund’s financial needs of over $150M USD. The player has left Germany to France and is forcing the transfer to Barcelona. Officially he has been banned for the team and is not expected back at Dortmund.. not a very classy move. However, with all the money offered by Barcelona following the transfer of Neymar it is very simple to make one’s head spin.
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool FC). He is Barcelona’s second target. The Brazilian played fantastic last year for Liverpool and at 25 years old, he is a hot prospect in the midfield for Barcelona. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp has been categoric and will not let his jewel leave to Barcelona. Liverpool has already rejected two offers from Barça the second one for $150M USD. Coutinho has not been integrated in the first three official matches of the club in the Premier League and Champions League. His coach says he plans to reintegrate him after the transfer window is over.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal). The Chilean striker has not played in the first two games for Arsenal. Coach Arsene Wenger has not counted on him whereas he was probably the club’s best player last season. The Chilean is asking for a pay rise to prolong his contract but Arsenal is not willing to such a high price tag. Therefore the club has to trade him or he will likely leave Arsenal for free next summer when the contract ends. Once announced at Paris Saint-Germain in case of the Mbappé trade does not work out, now manchester United seems to have be the favorites to land him this summer.
As expected, transfer price have rocketed now for players who would not be worth this money before Neymar trade. Last year Paul Pogba and Manchester United were heavily criticized following the transfer from Juventus for over $124M USD but now does it seem it was a bargain? A couple coaches such as Mourinho (Man Utd) and Allegri (Juventus) already spoke out of ending the summer transfers earlier before the season starts. This is to avoid sending home players who are in discussion for a transfer and have them available to play.
Thank you Qatar and thank you PSG. Is soccer better now? Wait 4 years and the World Cup 2022 in Qatar for absurdity to peak.
