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Blanc will 'make do' with PSG squad

Paris - Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc explained Monday that he would have to 'make do' with his expensively-assembled squad as financial fair play rules had prevented the French champions from making winter break signings.

"Because of the financial fair play rules we needed someone to leave before someone else signed, but nobody wanted to go. It's as simple as that" Blanc told a press conference.

"We had thought something might happen but in the end we couldn't get any of our projects started."

PSG have signed several stars over recent seasons such as the iconic Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Brazilians Thiago Silva and David Luiz as well as Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani.

Players whose potential departure was mooted to raise funds included Argentine striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, while the highly-rated French 19-year-old Adrien Rabiot was linked with Arsenal.

They did however sell Clement Chantome to Bordeaux on Friday after 15 seasons at the club. The 27-year-old midfielder who came through the club's youth system had been gradually squeezed out of the reckoning in a star-studded side.

"I wish him well there," said Blanc, who was coach at Bordeaux between 2007-2010 and won the league title in 2009.

PSG are two points behind Lyon at the top of Ligue 1 and face Chelsea in the last-16 of the Champions League with the first leg set for February 17 at the Parc des Princes.

The winter transfer window closes at midnight on Monday.

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