PSG eliminated: Future uncertain for Neymar and Mbappe?

Paris Saint Germain have gone out of the UEFA Champions League empty-handed for the fourth time in a row since the uber-expensive signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. This is enough setback to have a serious discussion about the future of the two as PSG players.

After coming so close last season, only to lose out to Bayern in the final, PSG had now knocked out the reigning champions on away goals. However, it fell short as they were outplayed by Manchester City over two legs of the semi-final. Spending over 350 million euros on two quality players, PSG certainly had high expectations in mind, which included fulfilling their objective of securing a UCL title.

Although Paris have established themselves as significant contenders for the title every season they play in Europe, continental success is yet to knock the door of the French giants. Whether they choose to carry the proceedings on with both Neymar and Mbappe, is the topic in question for the club and everyone directly or indirectly involved. Though, it also essentially depends on the decisions that the two of them reach to.

Neymar’s motive behind moving from Camp Nou in the summer of 2017 has been evidently clear. His career objective to be the central figure of his team saw him take charge of how the show runs at PSG. To accompany him, and effectively adding to the offensive incisiveness, the club lost no time in securing Mbappe from Monaco. As a progression in the timeline, Paris have witnessed the squad being built around the Brazilian playmaker.

At 29 years of age, Neymar will have to act quickly if he plans to move on to a different location in his quest for European glory. With Barcelona in the process of a rebuild with youngsters, the one-time UCL winner moving back there would make little sense. Same will be the case if he plans to move elsewhere. Starting from scratch is something Neymar doesn’t have enough years left for.

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Mbappe has time on his side, and can feasibly imagine moving to a bigger club that offers an increasingly promising chance at winning the trophy with big ears. Real Madrid have been interested in the prospect of signing the Word Cup winner for a couple of seasons now.

If PSG plan on selling the French International this summer, that could feasibly fetch them a good amount of cash in return. Providing Neymar with another attacking companion with the money from Mbappe’s sale is seemingly the most viable option at play here. Any development in discussion now has the potential to contribute to an interesting summer transfer window.