Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s serious knee injury has prompted Paris Saint-Germain to consider signing a new left winger, with Spain international Nico Williams among the leading candidates.
Kvaratskhelia suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Barcelona. The injury is expected to rule him out for the rest of the season unless there is an unexpected recovery.
According to Sport, Paris Saint-Germain had already been planning to enter the January transfer market for a left-sided forward, based on reports from France. Kvaratskhelia’s absence has now increased the urgency of that search.
Manager Luis Enrique still has several attacking options available, including Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres, Mika Godts, Desire Doue, Akliouche and Quentin Ndjantou. Dembele, however, was also injured during the meeting with Barcelona.
The French club’s financial position means it would be able to pursue an expensive signing. Paris Saint-Germain generated €333.4m from player sales during the last summer transfer window, after conducting its business with considerable financial discipline.
Bradley Barcola, who moved to Liverpool, accounted for the largest share of that income, bringing €125m into the Paris Saint-Germain coffers.
L’Equipe reported: “Paris is already looking for a new player to strengthen the wing positions during the winter transfer window, with the profile of a young player with significant potential.”
Paris Saint-Germain tracking several young players
The circumstances have widened the list of possible targets ahead of the next transfer window. Eurosport says Nico Williams is a serious contender, while Paris Saint-Germain have been monitoring the Spain winger closely for several years.
Goal has identified Algeria international Ibrahim Maza as another player under consideration. Maza is regarded as one of the emerging talents at Bayer Leverkusen.
Sky, meanwhile, reports that Paris Saint-Germain could look at Matthias Albert, who is gaining experience with Borussia Dortmund.
The club also has the option of recruiting immediately rather than waiting for January. It could use the exception known as the “joker” rule in French football.
Introduced by the competition at the start of the 21st century, the rule allows a club to sign one player from another team competing in either Ligue 1 or Ligue 2 outside the normal transfer window.
Paris Saint-Germain would be eligible to use the exception because of the serious injury suffered by Kvaratskhelia. Despite that possibility, the final decision is expected to be made in January.
