While they are comfortably in control of the Ligue 1 standings, theirperformances in the first half of the season prove they might still have a lot of work to do to challenge for the elusive UEFA Champions League trophy.

PSGhave the money and the ambition to continue improving their roster until they’re satisfied enough, so it won’t be a surprise to see them in the market again. According to reports, they already eye a teammate of Neymar and Marquinhos in the Brazil national team.

Report: PSG eye teammate of Neymar in theBrazil national team

According to L’Equipe, PSG sporting directorLeonardo is keeping tabs on Lucas Paqueta. The Olympique Lyon midfielder comes from a great year in which he shone during the 2021 Copa America to establishhimself in the starting lineup of the Brazilian national team.

But the move would only happen in the summer as Paris currently don’t have much room in their squad, especially in the middle of the park. First, they’d have to reduce the wage bill and free up space. Leonardo, however, is reportedly interested in what Paqueta could bring to Parc des Princes.

They already know each otherfrom their time together at Milan. In 2019, when Leonardo was still the sporting director of the Serie A giants, he signed Paqueta. However, he moved to Lyon a year later for €20 million ($22m), and the Ligue 1 rivals would demand nearly €60m ($67m) to let him leave.

It would be safe to say Paris Saint-Germain were the big winners of the transfer market as they acquired a number of renowned names without spending too much. Chelsea, on the other hand, have also done a fantastic job in the summer but they did spend loads of money.

These two wealthy sides could have been involved in another astonishing deal should the Parisians were willing to negotiate with the Premier League team. According to reports, the Blues were keen on signing a PSG star.

Chelseawere reportedly willing to spend€100m for PSG star

Thomas Tuchel‘s tenure at Parc des Princes may have not ended well but that wouldn’t prevent him from having a good memory about the players he worked with. After leading Chelsea to a fantastic UEFA Champions League triumph last season, he was reportedly looking forward to areunion with a PSG star.

According to French outlet RMC Sport, Chelsea wanted to signMarquinhos this summer as Tuchel would have liked to have him and Thiago Silva together again. The report claims the Blues would have considered offering €100 million to acquire the Brazilian center-back.

However, neither him nor the Parisians were interested in this move. Marquinhos feels comfortable in the French capital and the way PSG workedduring the transfer window may have provided him a big reason for optimism.

The club, meanwhile, didn’t fancy the idea of losing its captain. Chelsea didn’t go after another center-back. Instead, they created roomby selling Kurt Zouma to West Ham and Fikayo Tomori to Milan.

According to Transfermarkt the following XI are the most expensive players at their positions based on age and market value. There are some glaring omissions such as Erling Haaland, Thiago Alcantara, and Bruno Fernandes.

The total value of this starting XI is €1.01 billion! Many of these players will eventually be sold to other clubs in the future and for a lot higher than their market value indicates. Here is the most expensive XI in World Soccer!

Jan Oblak – Goalkeeper – €70 million

Journeyman and now Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has been with the Spanish side since 2014 and has played in over 200 matches. Oblak was the La Liga Player of the Season in 2020/21, having won the La Liga title and kept 18 clean sheets in 38 matches, with an 80% save rate for the season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Right Back – €75 million

Fast paced and capable 22-year-old right back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a rock for Liverpool and now England. Alexander-Arnold at his young age has played over 100 games for Liverpool, winning 4 titles.

Matthijs de Ligt – Defender – €75 million

Matthijs de Ligt is only 22 but already is a veteran of the game, having played for Ajax and now at Juventus. de Ligt has won 5 titles in his career and is the subject of various transfer rumors.

Marquinhos – Defender – €75 million

PSG’s rock in defense, Brazilian Marquinhos has been with the club since 2013 and has over 200 appearances for the French Super Club. A leader and the balance of his club’s capable attack, Marquinhos is as slick as they come.

Alphonso Davies – Left Back – €70 million

When Alphonso Davies was moved to left back upon his arrival at Bayern Munich it raised many eyebrows, but the people at Bayern knew what they were doing. Davies has transformed into the best left back in the world. Speed, power, crossing, dribbling, the Canadian player is the best export from Concacaf at the moment.

Joshua Kimmich – Midfielder – €90 million

Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich is the balance of defense in an offensive midfield, known as a Swiss army knife for his versatility, Kimmich can win the ball in the middle like no other in the world. Kimmich has already won 17 titles since joining Bayern.

Frenkie de Jong – Midfielder – €90 million

Frenkie de Jong can do it all, he can play defense, go at it in attack, and he loves to have the ball at his feet. A workhorse for both Barcelona and the Netherlands,de Jong will be one of the pillars Barcelona will rely on in a world post Messi.

Kevin De Bruyne – Midfielder – €100 million

One of the world’s best midfielders, Kevin De Bruyne is elegant, has perfect vision, and can finish. The Belgium and Manchester City player is a leader for both club and country and is one of the most expensive players on the market.

Jadon Sancho – Attacker – €100 million

Jadon Sancho has recently made a huge money move to Manchester United, a lot will be expected from the 21-year-old English international. Sancho came on to the scene at Borussia Dortmund and is known for his speed, creativity and taking on opponents 1 v 1.

Neymar – Attacker – €100 million

€100 million for Neymar does not sound right. Neymar has been nothing short of brilliant in his career, he may be eclipsed by other names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, or Erling Haaland, but make no mistake Neymar is one of the best in the world. Neymar has won championships and scored some spectacular goals for every team he has played for and Brazil as well.

Kylian Mbappé – Striker – €160 million

Kylian Mbappé is simply electric, one the world’s most exciting young players the 22-year-old French World Cup winner is an excellent dribbler, finisher, has great speed, and tears up opponents 1 v 1. Along with Erling Haaland, they are the two biggest soccer talents in a post Messi and Ronaldo world.

The South American competition promised to be bringing us thrilling nights of action and it has certainly delivered. Lionel Messi and Neymar obviously took the spotlight even beforeCopa America began, but as soon as the tournament began,more names started to win recognition and proved what they’re capable of doing.

Now that the tournament is over, it’s a good time to reflect on the best players of the Copa America 2021 based on their performances. These kinds of shortlists always require a lot of attention and people could disagree on some picks, which is why we’ve also made honorablementions naming some substitutes. Here, check out the Copa America 2021 best XI and coach by Bolavip!

GK – Emiliano Martínez (Argentina)

This could hardly be another man. Emiliano Martínez has had a fantastic first Copa America withArgentina and heproved to be the right man for the job. Dibugot hischance with the senior national team only a few weeks before the tournament during the World Cup Qualifying and he seized the opportunity to remain between the sticks. The Aston Villa goalkeeper has previously proven his talent in the Premier League and he once again showed what a dependable keeper he is during Argentina’s Copa America 2021 success.

In the group phase, Martínez has only conceded once in four games, being crucial to secure Argentina’s wins over Uruguay and Paraguay. In the knockout stages, he was La Albiceleste’s hero in the penalty shoot-out against Colombia, saving an impressive three shots to fire his side to the grand final. Martínez proved his talent, held his rivals almost every game and shown character to be an unbreakable goalkeeper.

RB – AngeloPreciado (Ecuador)

Ecuador‘s journey in Copa America 2021 may have not been one to remember, as they left Brazil without winning a single game in their campaign. However, La Tri have reasons for optimism as they can rely on youth, promising talents, such as Angelo Preciado.

The Genk right-back has been up to the challenge and provided a great weapon for Gustavo Alfaro‘s side on the right flank, being capable of helping both in defense and in attack. Preciado has been one of the few to have done a good Copa America for Ecuador.

CB – Marquinhos (Brazil)

The hosts have arrived at the tournament with the duty of defending their crown on their territory and with arguably the strongest squad on the continent. Marquinhos has played a key role in Brazil‘s campaign as he held his opponents almost every game.

La Canarinha conceded just twice in the group stage, and even though their attack has taken most of the spotlight, their solid defense was a significant reason for their strong path towards the grand final. The PSG captain wasresponsiblefor such a good work at the back and for us he won a place in theCopa America 2021 best XI.

CB – Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina)

Often criticized before the tournament began, Nicolás Otamendi silenced the critics during Copa America 2021 proving to be the experienced center-back Argentina needed to get back to glory days. The veteran defender has held his opponents and helped his side keeping clean sheets even in the final.

At the end of the day, the most experienced players end up proving their worth and Otamendi is one of them. He patiently waited to have his chance to shine and has been crucial for Argentina’s road to success.

RM – Angel Di María (Argentina)

El Fideo has also dealt with setbacks over the last few years with the national team, but he proved what a world-class player he is regardless of his age. Angel Di María scored the winner vs Brazil and fired Argentina to continental glory after 28 years.

Therefore, he will be forever a La Albiceleste legend. However, he has also been crucial throughout the whole tournament having a big impact coming off the bench. He may have not started until the final, but Di Maria certainly played a big part in Argentina’s triumph.

CM – Lucas Paquetá (Brazil)

The Olympique de Lyon star has made quite an impression during Copa America 2021, especially when it came to the knockout stages. Lucas Paquetá was the unexpected hero of Brazilin the quarter and semi-finals.

In both games, Paquetá gave Tité’s side the edge providing the lone goals each time in hard-fought wins for the hosts. Therefore, he played a pivotal role in their run to the tournament’s final, which is why he deservedly earned a spot in this lineup.

CM – Casemiro (Brazil)

Once again we’re looking at another man from the hosts, but there was no room for questioning Casemiro‘s presence in this starting eleven. The Real Madrid central midfield has ruled in the middle of the park in each and every Copa America 2021 game.

Casemiro is arguably the best at his job, and despite Guido Rodríguez has also done great for Argentina, the Brazilian man has been more consistent and his spot in Tite’s lineup was undisputed.

LM – Luis Díaz (Colombia)

One of the most pleasant surprises in Copa America 2021, Luis Díaz probably is the pick which few people could disagree on. The Colombian midfielder has scored an impressive four goals in the tournament, being the only man in Reinaldo Rueda‘s squad to find the net consistently.

Colombia have left a lot to be desired in terms of goals scored, but Díaz has been the exception and ended up amassing more goals than all his teammates combined – Cuadrado, Borja, and Cardona scored one each. Luis Díaz punished Brazil, Argentina, and Peru with a brace that included an absolute stunner at the last-gasp.

RW – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

At 34 years of age, Lionel Messi has played another outstanding role in Argentina’s Copa America 2021 tournament and led them to glory. The Argentine superstar has pulled the strings of the team in their run towards the final and carried it all by himself when needed.

There are simply no words to describe Messi’s game anymore as he continues impressing regardless of his age. From the very first game, in which he scored a fantastic free-kick, Messi stepped up to help Argentina beating their opponents in his quest for a highly desired international trophy.

ST – Gianluca Lapadula (Peru)

The Italian-born striker quickly got into Peruvian’s hearts by showing commitment to La Blanquirroja’s colors and this Copa America 2021 has simply increased their affection for him. Gianluca Lapadula had a challenging task in filling Paolo Guerrero‘s shoes, but he successfully achieved it.

The Benevento striker has been a constant threat for the rivals’ defense during the competition and has managed to find the net four times, first against Ecuador in an eventful 2-2 draw,then scored a brace against Paraguay in the quarter-finals, and was on target again in the third-place game vs. Colombia. Therefore, Lapadula was one of the most prolific and consistent No. 9s in Copa America 2021.

LW – Neymar (Brazil)

This spotalso has an undisputed owner, as Neymar has had his best Copa America performance this year. After missing the last two editions, the PSG superstar redeemed himself in the continental cup to lead Brazil’s way to the final, despite he couldn’t end up celebrating.

Neymar has arrived at this competition as a much more mature and experienced player, looking to bounce back from a sour performance in the 2015 tournament. He scored when needed and provided assists to help his national team reaching the final for the second straight time. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t enough to win the trophy.

Coach – Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)

Taking the reins of a team that has recentlysuffered a painful World Cup exit and that carries more than 20 years without winningsilverware would never seem like an easy task for any manager in the world. However, Lionel Scaloni has patiently led Argentina’s transition to a new generation of players and guided the country to a long-awaited trophy.

Scaloni has been constantly questioned from the very first moment in he was appointed for not having managerial experience, but he proved that hard work and keeping an eye on a large number of playerspays off. He has “discovered” names that were unknown even for pundits and that turned out to be key for the national team. But moreimportantly, Scaloni managed to finally led Argentina to glory to end a long drought.

Honorable mentions

GK – Wuilker Fariñez (Venezuela)

CB –Thiago Silva(Brazil)

RB – Danilo (Brazil)

CM –Giovani Lo Celso(Argentina)

CM – Yoshimar Yotún(Peru)

RW – André Carrillo (Peru)

RM – Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Colombia)