Which French Players Could Paris Saint-Germain Target in the Transfer Window?

You might argue that it’s really none of his business what a Qatari-owned club with a heavy South American presence and a Swedish icon upfront do, but comments from the president of the French Football Federation urging Paris Saint-Germain to sign more French players have been in the news in Ligue 1.

As reported by ESPN FC, Noel Le Graet told French radio station RMC during a discussion on the future of French football:

"

Paris Saint-Germain have a role to play. They would also have to have France internationals. Monaco too.

I would prefer these clubs, who are after all in a strong economic position, to take an interest in our internationals.

I dream of seeing half the team at the Parc [des Princes] made up of France internationals. It would be better for everyone.

"

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Better for Le Graet? Yes. Better for France? Probably. But better for PSG?

With Yohan Cabaye having become a bit-part player in the capital, and the likes of Lucas Digne, Adrien Rabiot and Jean-Christophe Bahebeck on the fringes of things, only Blaise Matuidi can really claim to be a French regular for the French champions.

It is true to say that PSG have allowed plenty of native talents to leave in the past couple of years, with Jeremy Menez, Kingsley Coman, Kevin Gameiro and Mamadou Sakho all departing for pastures new, but all have been replaced by players who have helped the club to various successes, and fans aren’t exactly clamouring for their returns.

In the age of winning at all costs, the nationality of the players who pull on your club’s jersey seems to matter less and less, but if PSG were to shop in the domestic aisle only who could they target?

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The most obvious player to try to bring in would be the Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who was linked with the club by the Daily Mirror’s Darren Lewis in March and would certainly welcome the chance to return to the Champions League stage with the Parisians.

With Euro 2016 on the minds of most in the country, the French No. 1 and former Lyon goalkeeper could see a return home as an ideal fit ahead of his peak years, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t claim that he would be an upgrade on the admittedly impressive Salvatore Sirigu.

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Further forward, and with PSG already so well-stocked in defence, midfield could be an area in which a bit more Gallic flair could be added.

Paul Pogba would perhaps be a dream signing for the French champions, but with his price tag sky rocketing seemingly by the day, a more realistic move could see PSG target the Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko.

The former Toulouse man will be desperate to avoid another season of struggle on Tyneside. Although the appointment of Steve McClaren might offer hope at St. James’ Park, Sissoko admitted his interest in PSG back in January to Foot Mercato and could be open to a move, according to the Daily Express.

It is the glamour names that fans are interested in, though, and with a possible eye on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract expiring next summer, PSG could target a couple of French forwards to replace him.

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Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann has already been the subject of a bid from the club this summer, according to a report in the Express (h/t Metro). PSG reportedly face a fight with Chelsea for the signature of a player who scored 22 goals in 37 games in his first season in the Spanish capital following his time at Real Sociedad.

A very different player to Ibrahimovic, Griezmann would doubtless be a huge hit in Ligue 1, where he has never actually played professionally but would instantly command the respect of the division’s defenders, as would perhaps the biggest name PSG could go for.

Karim Benzema seems to forever be on the precipice of an exit from Real Madrid, seemingly under threat from the club’s ongoing desire to recruit the biggest names.

Now 27, and hugely underrated when it comes to discussing the great and the good forwards in world football, the former Lyon striker could view a switch to PSG as a chance to take the centre stage his talent deserves.

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He was linked with the club by David Wright of the Daily Express last December, and if Le Graet’s vision of a PSG full of Frenchmen is to become a reality, then who better to lead from the front?

All of this is conjecture at the moment, though, with none of the aforementioned moves looking too likely.

As the trophies and the football show, Laurent Blanc should be happy with the multi-national squad he has at his disposal right now.

But if the temptation to go Gallic is there, he’s not exactly short on quality options.