AGS NEWS – Paris Saint-Germain secured a domestic double by defeating Lyon 2-1 in the French Cup final on Saturday.

However, they now face the challenge of building a squad for next year’s Champions League campaign without star player Kylian Mbappe.

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Mbappe, who has been with PSG for seven years, played his final game for the club in the cup victory, although he did not score.

Instead, goals from Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz secured the win. Despite a strong second half of the season, Lyon could not overcome PSG’s dominance.

PSG’s financial power remains unmatched in French football. According to the DNCG, PSG’s income in the 2022/23 season was equivalent to the combined income of Marseille, Lyon, Monaco, Rennes, and Lille.

This financial strength underscores their long-standing ambition to win the Champions League, a goal they have yet to achieve despite having numerous superstars.

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Coach Luis Enrique acknowledged the challenge of replacing Mbappe, emphasizing that no single player can fill his shoes. Instead, PSG will likely look to make several signings to bolster the team.

PSG’s approach to the transfer market is crucial, with potential targets like Victor Osimhen or Rafael Leao.

Enrique stressed the importance of strategic signings to avoid past mistakes made by clubs like Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur when they lost key players.

The Qatar-owned club will prepare for the new season with a tour of China and will play Monaco in the French season-opening Champions Trophy in early August.

The Ligue 1 season starts on August 16, and the Champions League campaign begins in mid-September.

Enrique is optimistic about PSG’s future, believing that the club will eventually win the Champions League. He plans to rely on remaining stars such as Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, and young talent Warren Zaire-Emery.

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Meanwhile, other French clubs like Lyon and Monaco are also making plans for the upcoming season.

The overall health of Ligue 1 is uncertain, with no broadcast deal secured for next season. The league hopes to finalize a deal with beIN Sports, but time is running out.