PSG target Mbappe replacement, as Barca and Madrid close in on French striker
FT Desk
- 28 Mar 2022 09:03 BST
- 5 min read
It seems almost certain that Paris Saint-Germain will have to accept the departure of Kylian Mbappe at the end of the season.
The French striker’s contract with the Ligue 1 giants is set to expire in just a few months time and with no clear signs of an extension on the cards, it seems as though Mbappe is ready for a new chapter in his career.
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Despite being heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in recent seasons, it seems certain that Mbappe will instead opt for a move to Spain.
Real Madrid certainly lead the race for Mbappe’s signature, after making a bid for the player in January, which was duly rejected by PSG.
However, in recent weeks, the capital side have reportedly been joined by none other than Barcelona, who could also now make a move for the striker.
As such, PSG now seem resigned to losing their star player and have apparently already picked out a replacement ahead of the summer transfer window.
Who will replace Mbappe?
According to reports in France, the Parisian giants will turn to a former player to fill the huge Mbappe-shaped hole in their attack next season.
After leaving PSG in 2019, Christopher Nkunku has gone from strength to strength in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig, where he has bagged an impressive 26 goals and 15 assists in just 39 games this season.
Such form has recently led to the 24-year-old getting called up to the France national team and in many ways Nkunku is a very similar type of player to Mbappe, in terms of his goal scoring and remarkable pace on the ball.
As such, PSG are willing to re-sign the player they allowed to leave the club just a few years ago for €13 million for a far costlier €75 million this summer. Which may prove to be more than worth it, if Nkunku can step into Mbappe’s shoes successfully.
