PSG want Lyon WONDERKID to replace Mbappe

Cameron Smith

• 14 Jul 2023 11:47 BST
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain want to sign Olympique Lyonnais forward Bradley Barcola, according to reports, as they continue to prepare for a post-Kylian Mbappe world.

Mbappe, 24, has just one year left on his deal at the Parc des Princes and has told PSG president Nasser Al-Khalefi that he will not be extending his stay past 2024.

The France superstar would like to stay at the club for the upcoming season, but PSG will not let him leave for free next summer. The club have informed Mbappe that he must sign a new contract by 1 August or he will be sold this window.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

Real Madrid are the most likely candidates to sign Mbappe, given their long-term interest in the player and Karim Benzema’s departure to Al-Ittihad, but Los Blancos have already spent €128 million on Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Fran Garcia and Joselu (loan) this summer.

Brazilian wonderkid Endrick will also join the club for an initial €37.5m when he turns 18 next year.

However, Mbappe seems to be on his way out of PSG, which has prompted the Parisians to prepare a contingency plan for his departure.

MORE: 'Real Madrid are obliged to sign Kylian Mbappe'

Neymar now looks set to stay at the club and they could pair the former Barcelona man with Lyon starlet Barcola.

Barcola to PSG?

According to RMC Sport, PSG want to sign the 20-year-old, but it will cost over €30m for Lyon to sanction a sale.

Barcola made 26 appearances for Lyon’s first-team last season and contributed five goals and eight assists in Ligue 1. He averaged a goal or an assist every 110 minutes - a rate better than Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun’s goal or assist every 120 minutes.

Furthermore, only Lionel Messi’s 11 assists for Kylian Mbappe and Kevin de Bruyne’s eight assists for Erling Haaland bettered Barcola’s seven assists for Alexandre Lacazette.

Lyon have already seen Houssem Aouar join AS Roma on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract at the Groupama Stadium, while Jerome Boateng and Moussa Dembele have also left and are now free agents.

In addition, they have earned €25.4m from the sales of Romain Faivre, Cenk Ozkacar, Thiago Mendes and Habib Keita this summer.

Rayan Cherki has been linked with an exit too, with Premier League giants Chelsea reportedly keen on adding the teenager to their ranks.