It feels like it was just yesterday that each of Europe's football leagues was were playing their first games of the 2015 2016 season. However, we're nearing the end of November, which means that we are just about a month away from the mid-season transfer window. Such football clubs (ahemÂ…Chelsea) need all the help they can get with this winter signing period while at least one other (Barcelona) will be getting back into the market for new players after this past summer's transfer ban. Needless to say, January should make for an exciting month in the soccer world. And so far, Paris Saint Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi looks like he will be at the center of it all.
An Imminent Departure?
Lavezzi is 30 years old and has always been dependably solid as a forward and winger at PSG. Since coming to Paris in 2012, the Argentine football veteran has scored 34 goals in 154 overall appearances. In other words, he's not putting up levels that match those of teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Edinson Cavani, but he's doing well.
He's also almost out of contract. When he signed with the Parisians in July of 2012-coming to Ligue 1 from Italian football club Napoli-Lavezzi inked a four-year deal with the club. PSG made a move to extend his contract a few weeks ago, but Lavezzi rejected the offer, possibly due to the summertime signing of Angel di Maria. While still a frequent substitute, Ezequiel hasn't started much this season, and would probably prefer to move on to a different club at this point. And with Lavezzi's contract up in July, the winter transfer window is PSG's last chance to make some money off his departure.
Bottom line, the writing is on the wall for Lavezzi to leave Paris Saint Germain. The question is, where will he go next?
Lavezzi's Possible DestinationsAlready, rumors have pointed to several possible destinations for Ezequiel Lavezzi.
One rumor says that Barcelona want Lavezzi and are considering a €5 million transfer fee offer. Certainly, Barca are a great club and Ezequiel would be lucky to end his soccer career there. However, if he's frustrated with his lack of starts at PSG this season, he could feasibly face the very same issue at Camp Nou. Barcelona manager Luis Enrique wants to add depth and security to his soccer squad, which has been challenged this season by the injuries of Lionel Messi, Ivan Rakitic, and others. Messi, Suarez, and Neymar will likely still be Enrique's offensive starters for the foreseeable future, though, which means that Lavezzi would be a backup man rather than a starter.
Ezequiel has also been linked with a possible move to Arsenal for months now, a transfer that might give him a few more playing opportunities than a move to Barcelona. The Gunners have dealt with their own bout of injuries this season, with Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all spending time on the disabled list. Arsenal have managed to hold strong in spite of the injuries, but some extra firepower wouldn't be the worst thing for Arsene Wenger's soccer squad.
Rumors have also indicated Juventus as a possible destination for Ezequiel Lavezzi. Of the three teams reportedly interested in signing Ezequiel, Juventus could likely get the biggest boost from signing him. The Zebras have been struggling to stay afloat this season, following the summer departures of top players like Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez, and Andrea Pirlo. Lavezzi could be used to flesh out the football club's offense and help them contend for a fifth straight Serie A title. Such a transfer would also bring Ezequiel back to Italy, where he previously played five seasons with Napoli.
Where do you want to see Lavezzi? Would you prefer to see him in the Juventus jersey 2015/16? Or do you think he'd do better in the Barcelona kit or an Arsenal top? At Soccer Box, we have all of these different shirts in stock, as well as the PSG kit, so visit our website to shop with us today!