PSG interest in Mbappe replacement 'increasingly strong'

Stuart Telford

• 13 Apr 2024 17:30 BST
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain have their work cut out trying to replace Real Madrid-bound talisman Kylian Mbappe, but are zeroing in on one target in particular.

Mbappe to Real Madrid is done in all but name, the France captain telling his current employers at the start of the season that he had no intention of extending his expiring contract.

He was left out of the pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea, and has been in and out the team under Luis Enrique in recent months.

READ MORE: Latest Kylian Mbappe transfer news

Real are set to pay their next Galactico €225 million over the course of his five-year contract, and although PSG will smart at losing a player valued at €107.5m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm for free, they will save significant money on his salary.

They need to replace Mbappe's on-field output - 39 goals in 41 outings this season despite the bumps in the road - and they have the off-field muscle to do it.

Thuram the man

And Marcus Thuram, Mbappe's France international teammate, is the player reportedly rising to the top of their shopping list in order to do so.

READ MORE: European Golden Shoe 2023/24: Who is Europe’s leading striker?

"Inter would listen to incoming offers for Marcus Thuram," reports Tuttosport's Stefano Pasquino. "It's not the Nerazzuri's intention to sell him but should an important offer arrive - €80m upwards - it would be impossible to ignore.

"The increasingly strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain should be noted."

Inter have reportedly stepped up their interest Mehdi Taremi now that the Iranian, starring for Porto, has secured his Portuguese passport. He would be Thuram's replacement at San Siro.

Thuram, son of France's most-capped player Lilian and elder brother of Nice's in-deman midfielder Khephren, has tallied 10 goals and 11 assists in 29 Serie A games for Inter this season.

He is valued at €34.9m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm.