The domino effect of Kylian Mbappe's transfer

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 13 Jun 2023 11:10 BST
• 4 min read

Kylian Mbappe joining Real Madrid has emerged as possibly the biggest saga of the summer. Paris Saint-Germain were informed by the superstar that he would not be activating an option in his contract to extend to 2025 by way of an official letter, which was subsequently leaked to the press, setting social media alight.

It means he is likely to be sold by PSG this summer - and the links with Real Madrid have already surfaced. But what will be the fallout of this?

The first place to look is PSG’s attacking options: Lionel Messi is leaving for Inter Miami on a free transfer, Neymar seems to be disinterested in getting his career back on track, while at the end of last season, there was a huge fan revolt at the club. They need to clean this mess up over the summer window and strive for damage limitation.

READ MORE: Winners and losers of Kylian Mbappe joining Real Madrid

Indeed, the entire frontline will need to be adjusted - those trio of stars have come to an end for the club in one way or another.

The club’s sporting advisor Luis Campos is a huge fan of Victor Osimhen, the Napoli striker who led the club to the Serie A title last season. But the Nigerian is also admired by Manchester United and Bayern Munich. It’s very possible that PSG, with all the money they are set to recoup through Mbappe and Messi’s sales and their wages, might look to bring buy the attacker.

Wingers to be sourced too

But the process can’t just stop with Osimhen. The club need to find three attackers of equal quality to last season to ensure Ligue 1 success again next campaign. Wingers will also be looked at. Moussa Diaby has already played for the PSG and they have always maintained that, in principle, they would never repurchase a player which they sold at a lower rate. The Bayer Leverkusen player has been linked to clubs such as Arsenal and Newcastle but in more ways than one he would fit the bill at PSG.

READ MORE: Why Real Madrid are likely to sign Kylian Mbappe THIS summer

Bernando Silva is certain to be played further behind, with Renato Sanches likely to make an exit. The club still have a vast number of loanees making a return. Mauro Icardi enjoyed a stellar campaign for Galatasaray and could well be a viable option to be used as second-in-command in the No.9 role. Julian Draxler may also be given a chance to earn a spot as well, and he has been known to operate on the left-flank.

Another name to consider is Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt. The Frenchman has been linked to Bayern and Man Utd as well but the sizable fee - some £80million or so - has put those clubs off. He would be a perfect addition owing to his ability to score goals and also assist. The transfer market is always about cause and effect: one move or one decision can either derail or ignite a string of others. And where Mbappe is concerned, expect the ripple to be huge.