PSG’s 2024-25 Season, Key Tactical Changes and Squad Outlook

Quick Answer

Paris Saint-Germain's 2024-25 campaign delivered a historic national treble—capturing Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions—while finally conquering Europe by knocking out Brest, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Inter en route to the UEFA Champions League title. The club then entered a significant transition window ahead of 2025-26, offloading high-profile players like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Asensio, and Milan Škriniar while integrating new signings and loaning out others to reshape the squad around a younger, more dynamic core.

Key Facts

PSG secured their 13th Ligue 1 title in 2024-25, setting a new record for the most championships in French football history.
The club completed a second consecutive national treble (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions).
PSG won the UEFA Champions League, defeating Brest, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Inter in the knockout stages.
Marquinhos served as captain for the 2024-25 season.
Gianluigi Donnarumma transferred to Manchester City for €30 million on September 1, 2025.
Randal Kolo Muani was loaned to Tottenham Hotspur on September 1, 2025.
Marco Asensio transferred to Fenerbahçe for €7.5 million on September 1, 2025.
Milan Škriniar transferred to Fenerbahçe for €7 million on July 30, 2025.
Carlos Soler transferred to Real Sociedad for €6 million on September 1, 2025.
Gabriel Moscardo was loaned to Sporting Braga on July 19, 2025, after a prior loan at Stade Reims.
Yoram Zague was loaned to Qatar SC on September 7, 2025.
Maghnes Akliouche was signed in 2025 as part of the squad rebuild.
Liverpool pursued Bradley Barcola but balked at PSG's high asking price and explored alternatives.
Renato Marin joined on a free transfer from Roma on July 17, 2025.
PSG's squad value was estimated at €1.4 billion.

The 2024-25 Season A Historic Quadruple That Redefined Expectations

The 2024-25 campaign will be remembered as the season Paris Saint-Germain finally shed the label of perennial underachievers in Europe. For years, the club had dominated domestically while falling short on the continent's biggest stage.

That narrative changed dramatically.

Domestic Dominance The Record-Breaking Title

PSG's Ligue 1 triumph was their fourth consecutive championship and 13th overall—a record that now stands alone in French football history. The title was clinched with a narrow 1-0 victory over Angers at home, a match decided by a single goal that underscored the team's ability to grind out results when necessary.

What made this domestic campaign particularly impressive was the consistency across all competitions. The Coupe de France and Trophée des Champions both returned to Paris, completing the club's second consecutive national treble.

This level of sustained dominance—winning every available domestic trophy in back-to-back seasons—had never been achieved before in French football.

The European Breakthrough

The Champions League run was the stuff of legend. PSG's path to the final was anything but easy, yet they dispatched every opponent placed before them:

Brest in the round of 16
Liverpool in the quarterfinals
Aston Villa in the semifinals
Arsenal and Inter in subsequent rounds

One match captured the spirit of this campaign: overturning a deficit against the 2023 European champion in just 30 minutes, with goals from Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, João Neves, and Gonçalo Ramos sealing a 4-2 victory. That comeback demonstrated the attacking firepower Luis Enrique had cultivated throughout the season.

The victory over Liverpool was particularly significant given the transfer maneuvering that would follow in the summer. Liverpool's interest in Barcola during the subsequent window suggests they identified PSG's attacking talent as a key threat—one they wanted to neutralize by acquisition rather than tactical planning alone.

Marquinhos The Captain's Role

Marquinhos was officially designated captain for the 2024-25 season, a decision that formalized his leadership role within the squad. His presence at the heart of defense provided the stability needed for the club's high-risk, high-reward tactical approach.

As the season progressed, his experience became increasingly valuable, particularly during the tense knockout matches in Europe where defensive organization often determined outcomes.

The Summer 2025 Transition Reshaping the Squad

The euphoria of the quadruple-winning season gave way to one of the most active transfer windows in the club's recent history. PSG demonstrated a clear strategic direction: move on from aging veterans, generate revenue from sales, and build a younger, more versatile squad capable of sustained success.

High-Profile Departures

The most significant departure was goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who moved to Manchester City for €30 million. This transfer signaled a shift in the club's approach to the goalkeeper position—willing to part with a world-class shot-stopper when the price was right and a succession plan existed.

Marco Asensio's move to Fenerbahçe for €7.5 million and Milan Škriniar's transfer to the same club for €7 million represented the clearing of higher-wage veterans who no longer fit the tactical blueprint. Carlos Soler's €6 million move to Real Sociedad followed the same pattern.

These sales generated approximately €50.5 million in transfer fees, money that could be reinvested in younger targets or used to balance the club's financial structure under Financial Fair Play constraints.

Loan Strategy Developing Assets Elsewhere

PSG's loan strategy revealed a deliberate approach to player development. Randal Kolo Muani's loan to Tottenham Hotspur was the headline move—a player who had shown flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistent playing time at the Parc des Princes.

The loan allows him to showcase his abilities in the Premier League, either to increase his market value for a permanent sale or to prove he deserves another chance in Paris. Gabriel Moscardo embarked on his second consecutive loan, following a stint at Stade Reims with a move to Sporting Braga.

At just 19 years old, the defensive midfielder needs competitive minutes to develop, and the Portuguese league offers a solid platform for that growth. Yoram Zague's loan to Qatar SC and the departure of Ilyes Housni to PSG U23 (on a free transfer) continued the pattern of clearing squad space for more immediate contributors while maintaining development pathways for younger players.

The Barcola Situation A Transfer Saga

One of the most intriguing storylines of the window involved Bradley Barcola. Liverpool expressed serious interest in the winger but found PSG's asking price prohibitive.

The club's "crazy demand" forced Liverpool into what was described as a shock "Plan B" approach—pursuing alternative targets rather than meeting Paris's valuation. This stance demonstrated PSG's negotiating position: they no longer needed to sell their best young players.

Having just won the Champions League and with a squad valued at €1.4 billion, the club could hold firm on valuations. If a player like Barcola was to leave, it would be on PSG's terms, not the buying club's.

The speculation around Barcola's future intersected with the imminent €50 million signing of Maghnes Akliouche, widely viewed as a potential replacement or complementary piece to the existing attacking unit. Akliouche's arrival suggested PSG was planning for contingencies while also strengthening the squad's overall depth.

Free Transfers and Academy Promotions

The window wasn't solely about sales and loans. PSG added Renato Marin on a free transfer from Roma, a low-risk acquisition that adds depth without significant financial outlay.

Noham Kamara and I. Mbaye both moved from the club's youth setup to the senior squad on free transfers, continuing the emphasis on internal development.

These moves reflect a broader strategy: while the club still spends significantly on established stars when necessary, there's a clear commitment to building a sustainable pipeline from the academy to the first team.

Tactical Evolution Under Luis Enrique

The 2024-25 season saw a marked evolution in PSG's tactical approach, one that carried implications for how the squad would be constructed moving forward.

The High-Pressing Identity

Luis Enrique implemented a system built on relentless pressing and quick vertical transitions. The 4-2 victory over the 2023 European champion showed this approach at its best—once PSG won the ball high up the pitch, they moved it forward with speed and precision, overwhelming opponents before they could reorganize defensively.

This style demands specific player profiles: midfielders with exceptional stamina and tactical intelligence, wingers willing to track back, and forwards who press from the front. The departures of players like Asensio, who at times struggled with the defensive demands of the system, make sense within this context.

Squad Architecture Versatility as a Priority

The 2025-26 squad construction suggests Luis Enrique wants players capable of operating in multiple positions. Akliouche's signing fits this mold—he's comfortable across the attacking midfield and wide positions, offering tactical flexibility without sacrificing quality.

The decision to loan Kolo Muani rather than sell him outright also reflects this philosophy. The striker's profile—strong, direct, capable of playing through the middle or drifting wide—remains valuable if he returns with improved confidence and consistency.

The Donnarumma Question

Donnarumma's departure raised questions about the goalkeeping position. His €30 million sale to Manchester City suggested the club had confidence in their internal options or had identified a successor.

The tactical demands on modern goalkeepers—comfort with the ball at their feet, sweeping capabilities, and distribution under pressure—may have influenced this decision if the replacement profile better suits Luis Enrique's system.

Looking Ahead The 2025-26 Season and Beyond

With the transfer window largely complete and the squad taking shape, several themes will define PSG's immediate future.

Repeating the European Triumph

The hardest challenge in football is defending a Champions League title. PSG's squad will have a target on their backs, and the tactical approaches opponents used against them in 2024-25 will be studied and refined.

The question isn't whether the team is talented enough—with a €1.4 billion squad, that's never in doubt—but whether they can maintain the hunger and tactical sharpness required at the highest level.

The Barcola Question

Barcola remains at the club despite Liverpool's interest, but this saga may not be over. If he continues his development trajectory, his value will only increase.

PSG's firm stance on his valuation signals they see him as a long-term asset rather than a sellable commodity. The challenge will be managing his role, particularly if Akliouche's arrival creates competition for starting positions on the wings.

Financial Sustainability

The transfer sales generated significant revenue, but PSG's wage bill remains substantial. The club's strategy of moving on high-earning veterans while integrating younger players on more modest contracts is a deliberate path toward financial sustainability.

Success on the pitch—particularly in Europe—generates the prize money and commercial revenue needed to sustain this model.

Youth Development as a Competitive Advantage

The promotions of Noham Kamara and I. Mbaye from the youth setup, combined with the loan strategy for players like Moscardo, suggest a long-term vision.

PSG's academy has produced talent before, but the current structure appears designed to create clearer pathways to the first team. This approach not only reduces transfer spending but also builds emotional connections between the club and its local fanbase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did PSG sell Gianluigi Donnarumma?

The €30 million transfer to Manchester City reflected both a strong financial offer and a strategic decision about the goalkeeper position. PSG generated significant revenue from the sale while potentially planning for a goalkeeper better suited to Luis Enrique's tactical demands—specifically, distribution and ball-playing ability under pressure.

What happened with Randal Kolo Muani?

Kolo Muani was loaned to Tottenham Hotspur on September 1, 2025. The loan allows him to gain consistent playing time in the Premier League while PSG evaluates whether he fits their long-term plans.

His future could go either direction: a permanent sale if he impresses or a return to Paris if he proves he deserves another opportunity.

How much money did PSG generate from summer sales?

Based on the confirmed transfers in the reference material, PSG generated approximately €50.5 million from the sales of Donnarumma (€30 million), Asensio (€7.5 million), Škriniar (€7 million), and Soler (€6 million). Additional funds may have been generated from other deals, but exact figures for all transactions are not available in the provided information.

Is Bradley Barcola leaving PSG?

As of the available information, Barcola remains at PSG. Liverpool expressed interest but found PSG's asking price too high and pursued alternative targets.

PSG's firm negotiating stance suggests they value Barcola as a key squad member, though transfer situations can change quickly.

What is PSG's squad value?

According to available data, PSG's squad was valued at approximately €1.4 billion. This valuation reflects the depth and quality of talent within the squad, including established internationals and highly rated young players.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.

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