In recent years, France has become a footballing hub, as evident by the world-class players produced by the country in every position. But France’s national league has become notoriously one-sided in the past decade, due to the emergence of PSG as a European heavyweight. PSG has bought some of the world’s best and costliest players to France since 2011. In this article, we will look at the five most expensive signings made by Ligue One clubs.
#5 Achraf Hakimi – €60.00m (Inter Milan to PSG)
Since leaving Real Madrid in 2018, Hakimi has become one of the best wing-backs in the world. He made headlines in 2018 when he provided hat-trick assists for Dortmund against Atlético Madrid in an UCL group stage fixture.
Inter Milan signed Hakimi for €41.00m in the summer of 2020. He played a pivotal part in Inter’s Serie A win by scoring 7 goals and registering 10 assists. In 2021, PSG were quick to buy Hakimi after it became clear that Inter were in a financial crisis.
#4 Angel Di Maria – €63.00m (Manchester United to PSG)
Di Maria was an absolute phenomenon at Real Madrid, as his pace and passing made him an ideal man for counter-attacks. In 2014, he transferred to Manchester United, where his stock fell dramatically. In 2015, he became PSG’s second most expensive signing at that time.
Since then, Di Maria has scored 88 goals and provided 110 assists in 264 appearances. He has been PSG’s creative impetus for six seasons and in 2021/22, he can form a deadly partnership with Lionel Messi. Di Maria becomes a free agent next summer, but he is expected to sign a contract extension as his name holds immense respect among PSG supporters.
#3 Edinson Cavani – €64.50m (Napoli to PSG)
Cavani is an inevitable name in PSG’s history, as he holds several prestigious records at the club. He is PSG’s all-time top scorer and has justified the huge amount paid by PSG to Napoli in 2013. In 301 appearances for PSG, Cavani has scored 200 goals and provided 43 assists.
Cavani also has an enviable record at Napoli, where he scored 104 goals in just three seasons. In the summer of 2020, PSG allowed Cavani to leave for free to Manchester United. In just one season at Old Trafford, Cavani has become a fan favorite and is expected to be United’s first-choice striker this season.
#2 Kylian Mbappe – €145.00m (Monaco to PSG)
In 2017, PSG announced the loan signing of Kylian Mbappé with a compulsory purchase clause to be activated in 2018. Mbappe was already famous across Europe for his incredible displays for AS Monaco. Mbappe’s move to PSG is among the most expensive signings of all time, but he has more than justified his price tag in four seasons.
In the past three seasons, he has been Ligue One’s top scorer and has also enjoyed a lot of success in UCL. Mbappe’s future at PSG is a question mark, with him seemingly interested in a move to Real Madrid.
#1 Neymar – €222.00m (Barcelona to PSG)
Topping the list of most expensive signings by Ligue One clubs is Neymar’s world-record transfer from Barcelona in 2017. Neymar left amidst a lot of drama, and this transfer is said to have ramifications across Europe. Neymar averages a goal contribution every 70 minutes for PSG, but he is yet to make his mark in UCL knockout stages. A reunion with Messi could finally bring the coveted UCL trophy to PSG in 2022.
