Paris Saint Germain are reportedly set for what would be a significant squad shake-up as several of their superstar players may well be on their way out the door this summer.
According to a report in Marca, the French champions are prepared to allow the likes of Sergio Ramos, Neymar, and 2022 World Cup winner Lionel Messi to leave the club, with Saudi Arabia seen as a possible destination for all three.
Rumours have been circulating following another disappointing season for PSG. Despite sitting seven points clear of Marseille at the top of Ligue 1, the Qatari-owned club have once again failed to make their mark in Europe, crashing out of the Champions League Last 16 at the hands of Bayern Munich.
And the report by the Spanish paper suggests that Messi and Ramos, both of whom are out of contract this summer, will be moving on while Neymar, whose deal runs until 2025, may also be permitted to depart, with PSG believed to be open to offers for the 31-year-old Brazilian.
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With the Saudi Pro League a possible option, it could see Messi lining up against Cristiano Ronaldo in what would be a sensational revival of a long-standing rivalry between two players widely seen as the greatest to ever play the game.
Reports indicate that Al Hilal, rivals of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, are interested in acquiring Messi’s talents but that they would also be in the market for Neymar should they fail to lure the Argentine to Saudi Arabia.
Ramos, meanwhile, appears to be the primary target of Al Nassr and negotiations are already believed to be taking place for a potential reunion with his former Real Madrid teammate.
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Were such deals to materialise, it would be something of a major coup in boosting the profile of football in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
Amid accusations of sportswashing, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in football infrastructure in recent years. The country has already played host to both the Super Cup and Club World Cup and is also thought to have its sights set on hosting the 2030 World Cup.
Ronaldo’s move alone has brought significant attention to Saudi Arabia’s domestic league, following his transfer from Manchester United after the 2022 World Cup.
The 38-year-old has already found the net nine times in eight games as Al Nassr fight for the league title. They currently occupy second spot in the table, just one point behind leaders Al Ittihad.
Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Sergio Ramos
George Nash