Kylian Mbappe is set to leave PSG in the summer and move to Real Madrid. It was almost inevitable at this point as he has been heavily linked with the Spanish giants since 2022. The talented Frenchman’s departure from the club will leave a huge gap up front that the club will now struggle to fill. PSG is in the market for a new front man and a few names have been in the discussion. Let’s dig in.
1. VICTOR OSIMHEN
In light of Mbappe’s imminent departure from the club, PSG are reported to have their sights set on Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Osimhen is the current African Player of the Year and finished eighth in the Balon d’Or last season. He finished as first runner-up with Nigeria in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations and is already flying high in the Serie A this season with eight goals and two assists in 14 matches.
The Napoli forward put up crazy numbers last season to help Napoli to their first scudetto in 33 years. He won the Golden Boot with 26 goals and gave four assists in the Serie A last season to help Napoli win the league.
Osimhen has been heavily linked with top Premier League clubs Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea since last season, and now PSG will join the fray. Bringing him to PSG will be no easy task as they will have to compete with Chelsea but it’s definitely not impossible.
2. MARCUS RASHFORD
The Manchester United winger’s name is in the conversation for Mbappe’s replacement. The England international had his highest goal tally in the 2022/2023 season, when he scored 30 goals across all competitions for the Reds; the first time a Man United player had done so since Robin Van Persie in 2013.
This feat earned him a new contract with the club.
Rashford seems to be experiencing a dip in form this season having found the net five times across 30 games.
His speed and technical ability are similar to Mbappe’s but his goal-scoring record falls short when compared to the Frenchman. How do you think Rashford will fare at PSG?
3. RAFAEL LEAO
Another player PSG may consider is AC Milan winger Rafael Leao and they could get him if the price is right. The Portuguese forward has been prolific for the Rossoneri and was pivotal to their Serie A triumph in the 2021/2022 season. He scored 11 goals and gave eight assists to help them win the league.
Leao will not come cheap though as he currently has a release clause of €175m thus AC Milan will not be entertaining bids less than €100m if they are to sell their star player.
4. IVAN TONEY
While not a major target, PSG is also considering the possibility of signing Brentford’s Ivan Toney to replace Kylian Mbappe.
5. BENJAMIN SESKO
The Haalandesque RB Leipzig striker is also being considered to join PSG and replace Mbappe. The Slovenian striker’s release clause is estimated to be about €50m; not at all out of reach for PSG. With his profile and skill set, he looks like a good pick for the French club.
Which player do you think PSG will end up with? Which one do you think they should go for?