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Paris Saint-Germain 'draw up five-man midfield shortlist'

PSG 'draw up five-man midfield shortlist'
© Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain reportedly draw up a five-man shortlist of midfield targets, including Paul Pogba, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Nicolo Barella.

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly drawn up a five-man list of midfield targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Mauricio Pochettino's side bolstered their engine room ranks with the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum last year, but the ex-Liverpool man has struggled to make a major impact for the Ligue 1 champions.

Wijnaldum has three goals in 35 appearances for Les Parisiens but has only started 17 Ligue 1 games this term, while he has been an unused substitute in recent draws with Lens and Strasbourg.

Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti have also struggled with injury problems throughout the season, with the former now missing for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing groin surgery.

Furthermore, with Ander Herrera turning 34 next year and often being consigned to the bench in recent weeks, PSG are widely expected to be in the market for new lynchpins in the summer.

Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic celebrates after the match with Roma on September 26, 2021© Reuters

According to Foot Mercato - via Get French Football News - PSG chiefs have now identified a quintet of engine room targets, including soon-to-be free agent Paul Pogba.

The France international now has less than two months to run on his Manchester United contract and has likely played his final game for the club after sustaining a serious calf injury last month.

PSG will likely have to battle with Real Madrid and Juventus for the signature of Pogba, who is understood to be Les Parisiens' first choice despite concerns over his injury record.

Man United are understood to have identified Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as an ideal replacement for Pogba, but PSG could rival the Red Devils for the signature of the Lazio man.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable season in the middle of the park for the Serie A side, hitting double figures in goals and assists in 34 league games, making the net ripple 10 times and setting up his teammates 11 more.

Milinkovic-Savic only has two years left to run on his contract with Lazio, and Man United are reportedly readying their first offer for the £67m-rated Serbia international.

Nicolo Barella in action for Inter Milan in May 2022© Reuters

Euro 2020 winner Nicolo Barella is thought to be another name on the PSG wishlist, with the 25-year-old providing 11 assists in Serie A this season - second only to Domenico Berardi.

Barella only signed a new deal with the Nerazzurri until 2026 last year, though, and Inter would be expected to rebuff offers for the Italy international in the upcoming window.

A pair of Ligue 1 names are also rumoured to have caught the eye of PSG, with Seko Fofana enjoying another eye-catching campaign with seven goals from the heart of the Lens midfield.

The Ivory Coast international is out of contract in 2024 and is also understood to be attracting interest from Lyon, who lost Bruno Guimaraes to Newcastle United earlier in the year.

Finally, Nice starlet Khephren Thuram - son of Lilian Thuram and brother of Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram - also appears on the PSG wanted list.

The 21-year-old has not been a regular starter for Christophe Galtier this term but still has four goals and three assists under his belt from 34 Ligue 1 games, although Real Madrid could rival PSG for the youngster's services.

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Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic celebrates after the match with Roma on September 26, 2021
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