Grading Paris Saint-Germain on Their 2015 Summer Transfer Window Dealings

For the majority of the summer, Paris Saint-Germain were working under the cloud of financial fair play restrictions. UEFA’s decision to give the club the all clear, per ESPN FC, didn’t signal an all-out spending spree, but it let Laurent Blanc strengthen his overall squad.

There were no big-name departures, or at least no one who would affect Blanc’s first team. Lucas Digne and Yohan Cabaye left to find regular football—but each player, as the coach promised, was replaced.

Just over £80 million was spent outright, which gives the impression the club will be able to go big next summer when Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract runs down.

Goalkeepers

Kevin Trapp was one of the surprise additions this summer. Salvatore Sirigu had enjoyed his position as undisputed No. 1 since arriving from Palermo in 2011, but he been relegated to the bench since the German’s arrival.

Joining from Eintract Frankfurt, Trapp wasn’t a name known by the PSG fans, but he has enjoyed a positive start to his career in Paris. Alphonse Areola joined Villarreal on loan—continuing his apprenticeship away from the capital.

Without ever playing a minute in the first team, both Mory Diaw and Mike Maignan left the club, joining CD Mafra and Lille OSC respectively.

Grade: B

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Defence

As expected, Lucas Digne joined Italian side AS Roma on loan toward the end of the window. They do have an option to purchase the left-back next summer, and the player will be keen to win back his place in the France squad ahead of Euro 2016.

PSG went big and lured AS Monaco’s Layvin Kurzawa, the man fighting with Digne for Didier Deschamps' affection. Easily one of the best left-backs in France, he will be a great addition to the back line.

Serge Aurier completed his permanent move from Toulouse, and he looks far more settled and comfortable after a full pre-season with the club.

With Maxwell and Kurzawa ahead of him, Youssouf Sabaly left PSG on another loan deal—joining FC Nantes on deadline day with no option to buy. This is his third spell on loan at a Ligue 1 club.

Replacing Digne for Kurzawa, securing Aurier and keeping an already-stacked defence intact leaves PSG very strong at the back.

Grade: A

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Midfield

Simple business in the midfield. Yohan Cabaye, after a disappointing time in the capital, moved to Crystal Palace for £10 million, per BBC Sport, and PSG rescued former Montpellier midfielder Benjamin Stambouli from his Tottenham Hotspur nightmare.

Stambouli still has a good reputation in France and will add energy, drive and physicality to the middle of the park.

Grade: B

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Attack

Last summer, Angel Di Maria was one of PSG’s biggest targets. Financial fair play stopped it from happening, but now Blanc finally has his man.

The Argentine is PSG’s biggest signing this summer, joining for a reported £44.3 million, via Sky Sports, and although it’s hard to draw accurate conclusions after just one second-half appearance, the signs looked positive against Monaco in PSG’s 3-0 win.

He adds creativity, movement and another dimension to the attack. He wants to help PSG find success in the Champions League—only time will tell if he is the player to do that.

Unlikely to receive any playing time in the PSG attack, Jean-Christophe Bahebeck joined Saint-Etienne on loan for the season. This is his third loan spell away from the club, emphasising his need for a positive season in front of goal.

Grade: A

Summary

Sirigu will feel a little aggrieved to be pushed onto the bench, but the club, and Blanc, fancied a change and see Trapp as the future. The defence looks stronger with the addition of Kurzawa and Aurier’s positive start to the season.

Nothing changes in the midfield, and Angel Di Maria adds more of a cutting edge to the attack. The biggest positive for PSG this window has been the lack of players leaving the club. The Ligue 1 champions have brought in replacements where needed, and the team looks stronger for it.

Overall Grade: B