4 Players PSG Should Clear Out in 2015 Summer Transfer Window

With the season now over and the first-ever clean sweep of domestic trophies in French football realised, Paris Saint-Germain can start to turn their attention toward this summer’s transfer window.

Despite a successful season in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue, as well as third consecutive UEFA Champions League quarter-final appearance, there is room for improvement in the current PSG squad.

Les Parisiens’ heavy 5-1 aggregate defeat to Barcelona over two legs in their last-eight encounter underlined Laurent Blanc’s need for greater depth in his squad.

The capital club were hit by injuries and suspension over both legs, and while a full-strength squad may have still seen the French champions eliminated by the Spanish giants, there is little doubt that the team would have at least been able to put up more of a fight.

Over those two legs and at a number of other points during the season, it was made painfully clear that a few members of this PSG squad are just not good enough to take the ambitious Ligue 1 outfit to where they want to be in terms of European progress.

Here are four players that Blanc should be looking to push out of the Parc des Princes this summer.

4. Lucas Digne

Francois Mori/Associated Press

This season has been a frustrating one for Lucas Digne at PSG.

The French international started the campaign as default starting left-back, while Maxwell got back into the swing of things after an extended holiday following the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. However, once the former Brazil international regained full fitness, Digne found himself back on the bench.

Not only was Maxwell superior to the former Lille OSC man because of his experience, the South American’s performances on the pitch were unerringly consistent. The 33-year-old was so reliable this season that Les Parisiens offered him a new one-year contract that will almost certainly stunt Digne’s progress next season.

Although the 21-year-old may be frustrated with the lack of consistent opportunities, he no doubt sees the logic in Laurent Blanc and PSG’s decision. Maxwell is extremely reliable.

However, there have been one or two occasions this season—notably on the European stage—where the capital club’s No. 17 has started to show his age, and this should offer Digne some hope.

The youngster must be realistic. Next season will likely be similar to this term, and the Frenchman will probably not get the games he needs to secure his place in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2016 UEFA European Championship.

However, there will almost certainly be an opening for the starting left-back role at the start of the 2016-17 season, with Maxwell set to hang up his boots when his new deal expires.

The best option for Digne and PSG at the moment is for the Frenchman to leave on loan and get the game time he needs—either in Ligue 1 or elsewhere—next season, before returning to Parc des Princes to take Maxwell’s place in the starting XI.

3. Gregory van der Wiel

Michel Euler/Associated Press

After an excellent 2013-14 season at right-back, Gregory van der Wiel was expected to build on that this term and thrive under the pressure created by the arrival of Serge Aurier.

Despite the Ivorian’s debut campaign being hampered by injury and then international duty, the Netherlands international has failed to nail down the starting role and make it his own.

Toward the end of the season, Aurier appeared to be establishing himself as Laurent Blanc’s preferred option at right-back, and Marquinhos has been played there ahead of Van der Wiel in big domestic and European matches.

The 27-year-old has just over 12 months left on his current contract and is believed to be pushing for an extension. Considering the Dutchman probably wants better terms than he is currently on now but has regressed on the pitch, this summer would be the best time to sell him.

Aurier’s potential far outstrips that of Van der Wiel, and with Marquinhos more than capable of covering the role as well, the Oranje star might need to look elsewhere for regular football next season.

2. Yohan Cabaye

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Since arriving in the French capital back in January 2014, Yohan Cabaye’s move to PSG from Newcastle United has simply not worked out for the club or player.

The French international has been unlucky with injuries. However, even taking that bad luck into account, Cabaye has not taken his chances to impress when they have been presented to him.

For a while at the start of 2015, it looked as if it might be possible for the 29-year-old to salvage his PSG career. The second half of the season did not go to plan for the former Lille OSC man, though, and Les Parisiens’ No. 4 has not featured as often as he would have liked.

With Adrien Rabiot now firmly established as one of Laurent Blanc’s four preferred midfield options, Cabaye’s position does not look like it will improve next season.

It would be in the best interest of both parties to separate this summer.

1. Ezequiel Lavezzi

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Despite a relatively good run of late season form, it is time for Ezequiel Lavezzi and PSG to go their separate ways.

Although a popular figure with the fans because of his likable personality and work rate, the 30-year-old simply does not justify his status as one of PSG's best-paid players in terms of what he brings to the team on the pitch.

Lavezzi scored eight goals and provided two more in Ligue 1 this season, adding an extra goal in the Coupe de France and two more assists in the Champions League. Altogether, that is nine goals and four assists in 39 appearances. That is two goals less than El Pocho managed last term, despite appearing in more games.

Coach Laurent Blanc prefers to play with a three-man attack, and as a member of that unit, Lavezzi needs to be breaking into double figures. The 30-year-old’s salary can be better utilised elsewhere, so PSG should be trying to sell him this summer.

The South American’s failure to report for a midseason training camp in Morocco also strained his relationship with Blanc, and while fellow offender Edinson Cavani appears to have mended his bridges with Le President, Lavezzi has not.