Double delight for Real Madrid as PSG chase Barcelona star as Mbappe replacement
Robin Bairner
- 28 Jul 2023 13:02 BST
- 3 min read
Real Madrid could land a double blow on LaLiga champions Barcelona as PSG are eyeing one of Xavi’s leading players as their replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe is nearing a move to the Bernabeu, with reports in Spain suggesting that his transfer could even be completed in the days ahead. It had previously been thought that he would leave next summer when his deal with PSG expired.
MORE: Mbappe to Real Madrid ‘closed in DAYS’ as PSG green light 'LEGENDARY' transfer
While Los Blancos stand to gain one of the best players in the world, their position in Spain could be doubly strengthened by the news that the Ligue 1 side are lining up a swoop for Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele as Mbappe’s replacement.
PSG have regularly been linked with Dembele in the recent past, with reports suggesting that they are eager to trigger the €50 million release clause of the former Rennes and Dortmund player. But that figure will rise to €100m as of 1 August, although the winger will only have one year left on his current Barcelona deal by that point.
MORE: PSG star set for Saudi Arabia transfer after Barcelona flop makes €60m move
Dembele ready to snub PSG?
Dembele, though, has intimated that he wants to stay at Camp Nou, having enjoyed a promising campaign last time out.
His career at Barca has been decimated by injury problems, and he missed three months of last season with hamstring trouble. Nevertheless, he managed 35 matches overall for the club, scoring eight goals and laying on another nine. In terms of decisive contributions towards goals, it was his best season ever at the club.
Xavi has made Dembele one of those players he is unwilling to sell, despite Barcelona’s financial problems, underlining just what he thinks of him.
Speaking on Friday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said: “Am I worried about Mbappe joining Real Madrid? No. On paper, he is extraordinary, someone who makes a difference but I have confidence in my team. For me, the Barca players are the best. It would worry me if his team was stronger than mine.”
It remains to be seen, though, how Dembele might react if he were promised a starring role for PSG plus the associated wage packet that goes with it.
Certainly, for Real Madrid, it would be an outstanding result if they were to sign Mbappe and rivals Barcelona were to lose a valuable offensive contributor.
