PSG’s double deal with Fenerbahçe: Asensio and Škriniar depart

Marco Asensio & Milan Škriniar to Fenerbahçe: What PSG Loses, What Fans Think, and What Comes Next

Paris, July 19, 2025 – Paris Saint-Germain have agreed to send two squad players, Marco Asensio and Milan Škriniar, to Fenerbahçe this summer. Both transfers free up salary and roster space and underscore Luis Enrique’s shift toward a leaner group. Here’s a deep dive into the details, PSG’s tactical calculus, fan reaction, and the moves that might follow.

Deal breakdown

Marco Asensio
After a disappointing 18 months in Paris 29 appearances across all competitions Asensio looks set for a permanent switch. PSG and Fenerbahçe have agreed a fee in the region of €15 million, with the Spaniard poised to sign a four-year contract in Istanbul. He travelled for medical tests this week, and all parties expect the deal to be finalized within days.

Milan Škriniar
The Slovakian centre-back impressed on loan at Fenerbahçe helping shore up a defence that conceded just 29 Süper Lig goals last season so much so that the Turkish side have negotiated a €12 million permanent fee. Škriniar will ink a three-year deal, reportedly earning around €8 million net per season. PSG view him as surplus to requirements, keen to redirect resources toward younger options combined, the two deals are worth roughly €27 million, a significant haul for players who occupied high-wage slots without nailing down starting roles.

Tactical fit: what PSG lose and how Enrique adapts

Offense: Losing a tactical chameleon
Asensio was never a nailed-on starter, but he offered tactical flexibility. Comfortable on either flank or even as a false-nine, his off-ball movement and ability to arrive late in the box could unlock stubborn defences. Last season he averaged 0.18 expected goals per 90, illustrating his knack for finding pockets between lines even with limited minutes. Without him, PSG risk lacking that unpredictable, inverted-wing threat.

Enrique’s workaround:

1. Lean more into Kvaratskhelia on the left, who offers more direct dribbling

2. Deploy Achraf Hakimi as an inverted full-back, tucking inside to mimic Asensio’s interior runs.

3. Chase a specialist winger or repurpose academy graduate to stretch play.

Defense: Saying goodbye to physicality
Škriniar brought size (1.86 m), aerial prowess (4.8 duels won/90) and rugged tackling qualities that balanced Marquinhos’s ball-playing style. In his 23 league outings for Fenerbahçe, he recorded 2.1 clearances per 90 and chipped in with three goals. PSG will miss that brute force in set-piece defence and transition moments.

Enrique’s workaround:

4. Trust Marquinhos & Pacho as the core pairing, with Nordi Mukiele pushing inside from right-back in some matchups

5. Pursue an established bruiser, with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté among the rumoured targets.

Fan reactions: relief, regret and Turkish delight

Relief at fiscal prudence
On Twitter/X, many supporters applauded PSG’s willingness to trim fat. “Great to see that ridiculous €14 million wage gone,” wrote one fan, celebrating what they called “a long-overdue reality check”. In FanVoice polls, over 60% agreed the club was right to cash in.

Regret over squad depth
Yet others fear a thin roster. A post on Reddit’s r/PSG read, “Losing Škriniar leaves us light when Marquinhos gets rested this feels rash,” while another lamented, “I loved Asensio’s late runs; we had no replacement lined up!".

Fenerbahçe frenzy
In Istanbul, the double capture has ignited excitement. Turkish forums label it “the coup of the window,” and highlight Mourinho’s sway in persuading both veterans. Expect Asensio’s creativity to add flair, and Škriniar’s grit to reinvigorate the back line.

What’s next? Previsions and predictions

Midfield upgrade
With extra funds, PSG will likely reignite a chase for Eduardo Camavinga, whose engine and versatility fit Enrique’s pressing schemes. Reports suggest formal inquiries could come within weeks.

Centre-back reinforcement
Expect accelerated talks for Illia Zabarnyi or a last-gasp swoop for an experienced free agent.

Verdict:

This double exit exemplifies PSG’s new mantra under Enrique: streamline, empower youth, then selectively reinvest. Fans may miss Asensio’s ingenuity and Škriniar’s steel, but the club’s willingness to shop smart and offload unwieldy contracts is a step toward sustainable success. The key will be timely, targeted arrivals get them right, and this summer clear-out might prove the bedrock for a refreshed title push.

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