Monaco's Fabinho is another long-term target under consideration and Porto's Danilo Pereira is another consideration from last summer.

In the search for a successor to Motta in the PSG midfield, it was confirmed that long-standing interest in Kante -- dating back to when Olivier Letang was sporting director and again when Patrick Kluivert arrived as director of football -- has been revisited.

However, while an outstanding defensive midfielder, Kante is not the ideal type of player PSG want to add to their current midfield because they want a more technical figure and one capable of creating from deep.

A change in coach could alter those plans, but until PSG's Champions League future is known, there is no reason to plan for a future without Emery.

The source added that the January transfer window closing without PSG making a single signing is a strong possibility but added that sales of unwanted players could change that.

PSG are currently trying to offload a number of players, including Lucas Moura, Hatem Ben Arfa and Javier Pastore, in order to stay on the right side of UEFA's financial fair play regulations.

However, despite PSG prioritising sales in the January transfer window, the source said that their need for reinforcement in deep-lying midfield has dictated that they have had to consider this in their summer business.

Free agent Lassana Diarra was initially lined up to boost coach Unai Emery's options in this area and provide depth.

According to the source, though, PSG are reluctant to complete the move for the 32-year-old for a number of reasons. While sporting director Antero Henrique would prefer a deal until the end of the season, Diarra is not interested in anything less than an 18-month contract, and the midfielder's history of knee issues have also prompted concern.

Because of this and despite Emery's desire to have another natural but also creative defensive midfielder added to his squad, the source said that Henrique prefers to think long-term -- for the moment.

Things could change over the next few weeks with Motta still unavailable after picking up another injury in the recent Coupe de France win away at Rennes and Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 fast approaching.

At least for now, though, Emery will have to make do with the likes of Adrien Rabiot and Giovani Lo Celso as makeshift deep-lying playmakers, while Henrique handles the transfer plans.

Napoli have emerged as candidates to sign Lucas Moura, who was previously linked with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Betis and Nantes.

PSG might be willing to accept a loan offer until the end of the season from Napoli as long as the teams can work towards a permanent transfer being completed in the summer for a figure of around €30 million.

Napoli's pursuit of Bologna's Simone Verdi should decide whether or not Maurizio Sarri's men firm up their interest in Lucas, who has already admitted that "it looks like this is the end of my Paris story."

Javier Pastore's move to Inter Milan looks unlikely to materialise due to the Nerazzurri's lack of funds. PSG have made it clear a loan is not what they want and Inter are thought to be considering the sale of midfielder Joao Mario to raise funds.

Goncalo Guedes -- currently on loan at Valencia -- remains Henrique's strongest hope of raising significant PSG funds either now or in the summer. The Portugal international continues to impress in La Liga and has a number of Spanish and English clubs interested in his services.