Inside PSG’s Transfer Brilliance: João Neves and the Vision of their Sporting Director

Paris Saint-Germain’s recent Champions League success has brought the limelight for many young, flourishing players at the club.

Ultimately, this has not only helped raise awareness for football’s future superstars but also given PSG an immense commendation on their transfer strategies.

The man behind this triumphant master plan is the Parisians’ sporting director Luís Campos, as he continues to grow his impeccable reputation for bringing in hidden gems and transforming them into freaks of nature.

Campos only joined the club in 2022 yet has managed to move the club forward dramatically, despite the departures of key players such as Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi.

One of his most impressive acquisitions was starlet João Neves, who was bought as a €60 million 19-year-old. One year later, the youngster is a Champions League winner and Nations League winner with his national side Portugal, becoming one of the hottest prospects in world football.

The Luís Campos Effect

Whilst PSG’s 55-year Champions League drought was not put to an end just from the work of the clubs sporting director, he certainly played a huge part in the show throughout.

Campos’ flashy new philosophy implemented into the club has changed them for the better, as they waved goodbye to the stars of yesterday and welcomed a group of speculative, inexperienced youth players.

🚨 Messi, Neymar & Verratti are all expected to leave PSG this summer.@lequipe [🎖️] pic.twitter.com/qRERwc7d4m

— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) May 6, 2023

Since the Portuguese joined the club backstage in 2022, he has forked out in the region of €841.42 million on player additions. However, just five of the players that had a portion of that spent on them were over the age of 24 at the time of signing – out of a possible 22 players.

Furthermore, last summer saw PSG equip two talented teenagers who together tallied up a cost of €110 million. That duo was both João Neves and Désiré Doué – two players who combined a total of 23 goals and 24 assists in all competitions last season, winning each of the Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France in their primary season in Paris.

Both of these superstars would now comfortably sell for over €100 million each, epitomising just how effective Luís Campos’ strategy has become. The players he acquires are in no way cheap and come seeping with risk. But with high risk comes high reward and PSG are simply just reaping in those rewards.

The average age of the PSG team that started the Champions League final against Inter Milan was 24.8 years of age. Eight of the players that started were purchases of Campos and three out of the five goals on the night were scored by his additions – including two goals from a 19-year-old Doué and one goal from 19-year-old Senny Mayulu.

(PSG Starting XI Champions League Final 2025: FotMob)

With the French club’s European dreams having been denied for many years up to Luís Campos’ arrival, it is clear to see that the reshaping of PSG’s mature, world-beater strategy into a talent factory for hungry, unproven talent has certainly paid off for the club and long may it continue.

The Intelligent Signing of João Neves

One of the most vibrant and applauded investments from Luís Campos, was the signing of João Neves back in 2024. Just 19 at the time, 2004-born Neves had already played 75 games at senior club level for Benfica, including appearances in the UEFA Champions League.

The Portuguese had clearly shown he had the talent prior to signing, but €60 million was a huge amount to splurge on the youngster. Especially when considering that PSG’s loaded budget could afford more proven assets at a greater cost, who carry a lot less risk.

However, just like the club put faith into Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Bradley Barcola – they wanted to put the work in themselves to breed a new midfield diamond. Just one year later, that is exactly what they have done.

João Neves has since scored seven goals in a PSG shirt, calculating 10 assists to go with it. Furthermore, he was one of the best midfielders at domestic and European level last season, with a 92.2% passing success rate, a 64.2% ground duel success rate and a 64.7% aerial duel success rate.

(João Neves Pass Map and Stats 2024/25: Opta)

Neves has been one to contribute at both ends of the pitch, creating 59 chances for his team in all competitions last season, as well as winning possession back a whopping 123 times and putting in 63 tackles – which was the most out of any PSG player.

(PSG Defensive Stats 2024/25: Opta)

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique even came out and implied that Neves adapted to his new move far quicker than expected. Enrique also commented that “he is very young, but we didn’t have any doubts about him because of his intensity and quality on and off the ball.”

It is evident that the belief the club have put into the youngster has helped him to flourish tremendously. Even before Neves signed, Luís Campos was hugely fond of him and had recognised the Portuguese’s suitability to PSG.

How This Move Has Reflected PSG’s Long-Term Project

As the famous saying goes, ‘if something is not broken, do not fix it.’ PSG now have absolutely no reason to switch up the demographic of transfers they are bringing in.

The young guns that have been acquired are already starting to outperform all of the superstar signings of previous years. Now, after seeing the success of João Neves in particular, the club will forever want to follow this current transfer procedure.

This team in 2025 is crazy.., young and too strong tacticaly..🇨🇵
Unbelievable Luis Enrique's work 🇪🇦
Luis Campos shadow 👀🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/NF49ppJW3u

— WorldFootballYouth (@fbworldyouth) July 9, 2025

Not only is the 20-year-old’s transfer value only going to appreciate from now on, but he is also going to get finer with age – complementing the Parisians’ system. Moreover, there is plenty more where Neves came from. As long as they continue to look in the right places, Campos and PSG will carry on picking up gems.