Snubbed by Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki, how PSG regained transfer clout | OneFootball

PSG’s transfer pull has changed gear, the European champions now reassuring more than persuading as they head for a second straight Champions League final against Arsenal at 18:00 on Saturday.

According to L'Équipe, Ligue 1 is no longer seen as a brake by leading targets. The key question is playing time amid heavy competition.

Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia arrived in January 2025 with star status, then appeared in the last Champions League final, 5-0 against Inter on 31 May.

That surge follows the 2023 and 2024 exits of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, when many across Europe expected Paris to lose appeal, a view even acknowledged internally.

The Harry Kane pursuit in summer 2024 captured that mood. Leaving Tottenham, he judged PSG lacked immediate sporting guarantees, talks with his camp were complex and wages were an issue, though Paris felt his impact would have been immense for two years.

Michael Olise also chose Bayern Munich after weighing offers. With Rayan Cherki, an advanced framework with Lyon gave way to his preference for Borussia Dortmund, where the transfer later fell through.

Paris now avoids draining sagas when players have chosen elsewhere. Luis Enrique’s collective has reset perceptions, with targets seeing a place to progress rather than just a shop window. The summer plan is stability, two or three upgrades, keep balance, and replace any exits like for like without stacking stars or overpaying.

Source: L'Équipe