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5 possible transfer targets for PSG this summer

By Kevin Parvizi

REIMS, FRANCE - MAY 24: Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain, looks on before the Ligue 1 match between Stade de Reims and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Auguste Delaune on May 24, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
REIMS, FRANCE - MAY 24: Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain, looks on before the Ligue 1 match between Stade de Reims and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Auguste Delaune on May 24, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images) /
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BREMEN, GERMANY – APRIL 24: James Rodríguez of Muenchen looks on before the DFB Cup semi final match between Werder Bremen and FC Bayern Muenchen at Weserstadion on April 24, 2019 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)
BREMEN, GERMANY – APRIL 24: James Rodríguez of Muenchen looks on before the DFB Cup semi final match between Werder Bremen and FC Bayern Muenchen at Weserstadion on April 24, 2019 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

James Rodriguez

A similar player to Christian Eriksen, James Rodriguez is capable of creating assists in spades for his teammates. Before falling down the pecking order in Bayern Munich due to a combination of injuries and Niko Kovac’s personal preference, James was a true star for the Bavarian giants. In 2017-2018, James shined with 11 assists and played a critical role in the team’s Champions League run, essentially carrying the squad in the second leg of their showdown with parent club Real Madrid.

However, Bayern had no interest in purchasing James upon the completion of his loan spell, and Real are highly unlikely to keep him with Zinedine Zidane back in charge of Los Blancos. Zidane was the manager who sent James packing to Bayern on a loan deal.

As such, James could be an affordable star player for a top club looking to add a globally-recognizable star and productive, attacking midfielder. James has drawn interest from Napoli, Juventus, Liverpool and others, but PSG might make the most sense.

For starters, James could be involved in a deal if Real Madrid want to snag either Neymar or Mbappe. While a transfer of that magnitude is difficult to imagine, the rumors continue to heat up. Real have already signed Eden Hazard for 100 million euros, and they could use James as a trade chip in order to tease PSG into parting ways with Neymar.

James is an excellent player in his own right and could blossom with the right team. The concern here is Tuchel, whose inability to relate to players and own tactical failings could prevent PSG from getting the most out of a creative, but team-first, player like James. He’s at his best when he can play with confidence, as that’s when the wonder-goals and dreamy passes take place. James may not be able to find that confidence with the abrasive Tuchel at the helm of one of the most difficult teams in the world to manage.

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