23rd November 2017.
Paris Saint-Germain's summer of spending sent shockwaves around the European game, as the world transfer record was obliterated to sign Neymar from Barcelona for €222 million, while teenager sensation Kylian Mbappe joined on loan from champions Monaco with a view to a permanent €180 million switch at the end of the season.

So far, though, it has to be said that it was money well spent for PSG: the Parc des Princes club are storming toward recapturing the Ligue 1 title they lost to Monaco last term, and look like genuine contenders in the Champions League.

There will, however, have to come a balancing of the books, with player sales almost certainly required if the Parisians are to have any hope of avoiding Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions.

The incomings at PSG this season have pushed several top-quality players out of the side, forcing some who would be sure-fire stars at other clubs to settle for a bit-part role. And it is these players who are likeliest to be sold in the near future, and as such a string of Europe's biggest clubs are waiting in the wings to pick them up.

Here are six players who could soon be searching for a more prominent role away from PSG.





            • Julian Draxler




      Draxler has been a PSG player for less than a year, having signed for the club from Wolfsburg in January for €36 million, and the Germany international has not disappointed since arriving in the French capital.

      With 12 goals in 39 appearances for the club to date, Draxler's record in France has been excellent, and the former Schalke man's performances have been generally excellent.

      But with just seven Ligue 1 starts so far this season, he has been one of the main victims of Neymar's arrival, with the Brazilian assuming the left-wing role that had previously been Draxler's. However, in recent weeks the German has excelled in a deeper midfield berth, which could yet set him retained at the Parc des Princes, despite rumoured Premier League interest.



            • Ángel Di María




      Another man who was previously one pf PSG's outstanding performers but now is having to content himself with a supporting role is Argentinian winger Ángel Di María.

      Signed from Manchester United for £44 million in the summer of 2015, the former Real Madrid forward has produced moments of magic in Paris, and, at his best, the 29-year-old is one of the best players in the world in his position.

      But Di María tends to produce his best form in streaks, suffering spells of inactivity in between purple patches, and he too is no longer relied upon as one of PSG's main attacking instigators as he had previously been.

      A move to Barcelona almost materialised late in the summer transfer window, and it is believed the Catalan giants may resume their interest in Di María in January or at the end of the current campaign.





                • Lucas Moura






      Brazilian winger Lucas Moura has been one of Neymar's best friends since they were six, but he could be forgiven for having mixed feelings about his compatriot joining him in Paris, as the former Barcelona superstar's arrival has pushed him further down the Parc des Princes pecking order.

      Lucas, a speedy right winger with an eye for goal, is yet to start a Ligue 1 game so far this season, making five substitute appearances for a miserly total of 72 minutes of playing time.

      Before Joining PSG in 2013, the Brazilian was linked with a move to Manchester United, and the Red Devils have consistently been linked with the player ever since, while Arsenal and Liverpool have also been mentioned as potential suitors.





                • Javier Pastore






      Javier Pastore's £37 million arrival from Palermo in 2011 was one of the first major signings made under PSG's Qatari ownership, and signalled the club's intent to compete with Europe's elite, beating the likes of Juventus to the gifted Argentinian playmaker.

      But, six years on, Pastore can no longer be considered a key player for the Ligue 1 leaders, with just four league starts under his belt this term and a combined total of 20 from the two seasons before.

      The 29-cap Argentina international's days at the Parc des Princes seem to be numbered, and a Serie A return is his most likely option, with Inter Milan said to be monitoring his situation.





                • Thomas Meunier






      When he arrived in Paris from Club Brugge ahead of the 2016/17 season, little was expected of right-back Thomas Meunier, who was brought in to compete for a starting role with Serge Aurier, who has since joined Tottenham Hotspur.

      But the 6ft 3ins Belgian excelled in his first campaign with PSG, making 22 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring once and registering five assists.

      This term, however, Dani Alves' arrival on a free transfer from Juventus has forced Meunier into a rotational role, starting six times in the league thus far. A self-confessed Manchester United fan, the 26-year-old might fancy a Premier League move if his prospects in Paris don't improve.





                • Hatem Ben Arfa






      After getting his career back on track with Nice in 2015/16 and finally delivering on the promise he showed as a teenager with Lyon, Hatem Ben Arfa moved to PSG on a free transfer in the summer of 2016.

      But the French playmaker seemed to fall out with manager Unai Emery almost immediately, and has never been able to establish himself as a regular first-team contributor in Paris, starting just five Ligue 1 games last season.

      Yet to appear for PSG this term, Ben Arfa will be moved on as soon as the Parisians can find a suitor for the 30-year-old, although the Premier League is unlikely to be an option given the 15-cap France international's less-than-impressive spells with Newcastle United and Hull City in the recent past.



This article was written by Ryan Baldi excessively for Soccer Box, where you can shop for all the latest PSG football kits.