PSG's 10 biggest sales of all time

17 Feb 2022 10:39 GMT |
Updated: 28 Sept 2026 16:26 BST |
4 min read

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Paris Saint-Germain have become a prime destination for many of Europe’s best players over the last decade.

Ever since the Ligue 1 side were acquired by Qatar Sports Investments, backed by Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the French champions have spent big on star quality at a remarkable rate.

In fact, they still hold the record for the most expensive transfer in history, having signed Neymar from Barcelona for €222 million.

Their financial circumstances mean that far more has been spent on players than made from selling them, but they have nonetheless generated some decent profits over the years.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through PSG’s 10 biggest sales of all time.

10. Ronaldinho – €32.3m (to Barcelona, 2003)

Ronaldinho only spent two seasons in Paris but he displayed enough talent for Barcelona to scrap a move for Manchester United’s David Beckham in order convince the Brazilian to move to Camp Nou.

The rest is history, as Ronaldinho would go on to become the World Player of the Year, helping to usher in the most successful era in Barcelona’s history.

Even by today’s standards, €32.3m seems like a pretty bad deal for PSG, and one they would certainly not have entertained after the Qatar takeover.

9. David Luiz – €35m (to Chelsea, 2016)

PSG made David Luiz the most expensive defender in history when they signed him for €49.5m from Chelsea in 2014.

The Brazilian spent three seasons in the French capital but the club were only too happy to recoup €35m when Chelsea surprisingly came calling to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.

The talented trio of Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe and Thiago Silva meant that Luiz was not particularly missed after his departure back to the Blues.

8. Goncalo Guedes – €40m (to Valencia, 2018)

In January 2017, PSG beat Man Utd to the signature of Benfica star Goncalo Guedes, who was tipped for big things at the time.

A lot was expected of the Portuguese winger, but he only made 13 appearances in 18 months for PSG before being moved on.

Guedes initially left for Valencia on loan thanks to super agent Jorge Mendes’s influence at both clubs. A year later, PSG received the biggest fee for a player in their history at the time as Los Che paid a whopping €40m for Guedes.

7. Marco Verratti – €45m (to Al-Arabi, 2023)

Marco Verratti will be remembered as one of the greatest players in PSG’s history – and certainly the most successful midfielder ever to play at the Parc des Princes.

He enjoyed 11 brilliant years in Paris, winning more trophies at the club than anyone before him. A magnificent midfielder who controlled and dictated the play, Verratti stayed loyal to PSG despite offers from big clubs such as Barcelona.

He eventually departed for Qatar at 31 years old for an impressive fee – given his age – of €45m.

6. Xavi Simons – €50m (to RB Leipzig, 2025)

PSG announced the surprise sale of Xavi Simons to RB Leipzig in the 2025 January transfer window for a hugely inflated fee.

RB Leipzig paid an initial €50m to PSG for the player, with up to €30m following in bonus payments, although this figure ultimately would not be hit.

Simons initially joined PSG from Barcelona as a wonderkid in 2019 but never made the grade in Paris before excelling during his time on loan at Leipzig.

He was sold the following summer after Leipzig missed out on European football, joining Tottenham for €65m.

5. Manuel Ugarte – €50m (to Man Utd, 2024)

For a period, Manuel Ugarte looked like he could become a PSG legend. He arrived from Sporting CP in the summer of 2023 and immediately shone. His lack of mobility and technical assuredness, however, saw him fall out of the plans of head coach Luis Enrique.

He cut a peripheral figure in the second half of his lone season at Parc des Princes before ultimately moving to Manchester United in a deal potentially worth the same as the €60m that PSG paid for him. Man Utd paid €50m of this upfront, with another €10m dependent on bonuses.

However, his struggles have continued at Man Utd, and it is fair to assume that the Red Devils will not have to pay the additional €10m.

4. Ibrahim Mbaye – €55m (to Aston Villa, 2026)

A PSG youth product, Ibrahim Mbaye became the youngest player to ever start a game for the club in August 2024 and he was expected to develop into a star at the Parc des Princes.

However, fierce competition for places limited his first-team involvement and he sought an exit during the 2026 summer transfer window, eventually joining Aston Villa for €55m.

Mbaye, who was just 18 years old upon his PSG exit, only made 42 senior appearances for the French club before his move to Villa.

3. Goncalo Ramos – €74m (to AC Milan, 2026)

Six months after a stellar 2022 World Cup, Goncalo Ramos completed a loan move from Benfica to PSG, with the Ligue 1 side subsequently paying €65m to sign him on a permanent deal in January 2024.

However, the Portuguese striker failed to work his way into Luis Enrique’s first-choice starting XI and he was somehow sold for a profit to AC Milan for €74m in 2026.

Ramos left PSG having scored 45 goals in 131 games.

2. Neymar – €90m (to Al-Hilal, 2023)

Neymar is PSG’s second-biggest sale of all time thanks to €90m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in 2023.

The Brazilian enjoyed flashes of brilliance at the Parc des Princes and certainly delivered in moments, but those were far too fleeting, with Neymar suffering multiple injury issues in France and failing to live up to his hefty €222m price tag.

After continued talks with Barcelona over a return to Spain, Neymar eventually became one of the many stars to join the lucrative Saudi Pro League in August 2023. His spell in Saudi Arabia was a disaster marred by injuries, and he returned to Brazil just 18 months later.

1. Bradley Barcola – €125m (to Liverpool, 2026)

Neymar’s record as PSG’s biggest sale was usurped by Bradley Barcola, who joined Liverpool for an initial €125m in 2026.

The France superstar spent three years at PSG before his move to Anfield, scoring 39 goals in 152 games and helping the club win back-to-back Champions League trophies in 2025 and 2026.

However, PSG brought in Ferran Torres, Mika Godts and Maghnes Akliouche following the second triumph and Barcola was permitted to join Liverpool.

The 10 biggest PSG sales of all time