Lionel Messi may have left Paris Saint-Germain but a surprising feeling of optimism is rising over the Parc des Princes.
The same feeling reverberates from the French capital every summer, but this time it really does feel different.
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And it has to be, as PSG have simply ran out of options, time and credibility under their Qatari owners.
After 13 years at the helm, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) have seen their ambitious project go backwards since their sole Champions League final appearance in 2020.
Desperate attempts to lure the world’s biggest names have gone down like a lead balloon and whilst global fans have flocked to south-west Paris to see their heroes in the flesh, PSG’s band of irritable ultras have been left furious.
A focus on commercial growth has seen the club’s worth rise to a whopping £4bn, but that has come at the expense of a coherent footballing project.
PSG have now announced Luis Enrique as their new manager and for the first time since Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment in 2011, fans, players, and club chiefs appear to be in agreement with the choice.
It will also signal the first coach to take over with Champions League-winning pedigree since Ancelotti, and one who will be more than a match for the club’s band of egos.
Another early Champions League exit in March meant PSG’s hierarchy were forced to tear up another dossier of plans of taking their flailing project to the summit of European football.
Instead, the club appear to have done some soul-searching after fan backlash, poor performances and just one trophy win for the second-consecutive campaign.
Another underwhelming campaign appears to have led to the dawn of a new no-nonsense attitude at the club which was last seen in the era of Zlatan Ibrahmovic and Edinson Cavani.
No longer will the club bow down to ‘bling bling’ signings – as brilliantly put by president Nasser Al Khelaifi.
Moreover, any player wanting to leave the club can go, including the previously untouchable pair of Kylian Mbappe and midfield lynch pin Marco Verratti.
PSG have moved quickly to secure five new signings this summer and they’re now being publicly announced.
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In comes Inter’s tough tackling centre-back Milan Skriniar on a free transfer. The Slovakian will add extra steel to PSG’s weak backline and more importantly some much needed leadership along the often scrutinised captaincy of Marquinhos.
Skriniar will replace the outgoing Sergio Ramos who endeared himself well to the Parisian faithful after an injury-plagued first season in Ligue 1.
Marco Asensio will have his chance to step out of the shadow of Real Madrid and reignite his career. The 27-year-old left Madrid as a free agent last month after struggling to nail down a first team place.
Much mystery still surrounds the Spaniard who has an abundance of talent but still hasn’t reached his own personal heights in the game.
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Chelsea target Manuel Ugarte has completed his £60m move to the Parc des Princes from Portuguese outfit Sporting.
The Uruguayan will add some much-needed steel to a Parisian midfield often described at its weak link.
Ugarte could turn out to be the natural successor to 30-year-old Verratti whose time at the club appears to be reaching its natural conclusion.
PSG also moved quickly to tie up the £15m signing of exciting Real Mallorca attacking midfielder Kang-In Lee.
The 22-year-old has impressed in La Liga and will provide ammunition to unlock Ligue 1’s often watertight low-blocks.
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Frenchman Lucas Hernandez arrives from Bayern Munich hoping to put his injury nightmare behind him.
The defender has fully recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered at the World Cup and will help reshape PSG’s backline next season.
Young Italian midfielder Cher Ndour completes the pot of stars to have signed in the French capital and reports claim there is still more to come.
L’Equipe claim PSG have £200m to spend solely on attacking talent this summer one of which, the club hopes to be Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.
PSG are also in the market for a new No.9 with the club looking at moves for one of Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Victor Osimhen or Harry Kane.
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Fresh reports suggest PSG are serious about rivalling Bayern Munich for Tottenham superstar Kane this summer.
Dutch starlet Xavi Simons could also make his return to the club as PSG hold a buyback clause of just £5m which must be invoked before the July 31 deadline.
It is clear that Messi’s departure has given PSG more wiggle room to launch a more collective offensive this term and if their plan to offload Neymar comes to fruition, the shackles will finally be off the the club.
PSG have been financially crippled by their superstar trio of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe who collectively failed to take the club to the promise land.
Neymar has played in just 54 per cent of PSG’s games since signing in 2017 and both club bosses and fans have lost patience with their £200m investment.
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Mbappe’s future is still in the air and whilst it is likely he will leave for Real Madrid next summer at the latest, PSG are showing signs of building for the future without the World Cup winner.
With an emphasis being placed on the collective rather than a trio of megastars, Manchester City’s Champions League success has clearly woken up PSG’s decision makers.
And if Mbappe stays for one more season under Luis Enrique and his new breed, PSG might finally be a club to take seriously next season.
Here’s how they could look if everything goes to plan…
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