Marcus Rashford and five possible replacements for Mbappe at PSG

Robin Bairner

• 7 Feb 2024 13:59 GMT
• 3 min read

PSG are coming to terms with the fact that Kylian Mbappe could depart in the summer.

The Ligue 1 champions are refusing to comment on the situation until Mbappe has informed them of his decision, but the signs are increasingly that the 25-year-old France striker will depart as a free agent at the end of his contract in June.

Real Madrid looks likely to be his destination, with the promise of a huge signing on fee enticing the former Monaco player to Spain.

PSG are already making contingency plans for the time that Mbappe departs – but who are their likely signings?

Here are five players tipped to replace the attacker at Parc des Princes.

Victor Osimhen – Napoli

PSG chased Osimhen as a centre-forward option last summer but found him to be out of reach. What is for certain is that the Nigeria international will be on the market this summer as his new Napoli contract boasts a release fee reportedly in the region of €130 million.

Competition for the former Lille striker, though, is set to be hot. Chelsea are particularly interested in him from the Premier League, where interest is also likely to emerge from Arsenal and Manchester United. The Saudi Pro League could also be a factor here.

Rafael Leao – AC Milan

Another former Lille player, Leao has been dubbed the ‘Portuguese Mbappe’ due to his playing style. As a like-for-like replacement, he makes sense, yet Luis Enrique has been using Mbappe as a centre-forward, which is not a role that Leao can play.

Given Bradley Barcola’s form on the left wing, this is unlikely to be a role that PSG prioritise ahead of the summer, so this would be a surprising move.

Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid

Vini Jr’s position on the left of the Real Madrid attack is under threat from Mbappe, who has made it clear that he favours that position. Could the Brazilian move to the right or through the middle? He’s largely untested in both roles, so could it be the end for him in the Spanish capital?

It’s not unthinkable that Mbappe’s arrival at the Bernabeu could force Vini out, and naturally a switch to Paris has been mooted. Like Rafael Leao, this is a deal complicated by Barcola’s excellent recent form.

Marcus Rashford – Manchester United

With recent disciplinary problems at Manchester United, it would not be entirely surprising to see Rashford leave Old Trafford in the summer, with PSG a club that has long been linked with the England star.

From a marketing point of view, Rashford could be attractive to make the PSG brand bigger in England, yet his form over the course of the last six months is poor compared to what the Parc des Princes side wants. Could be used through the middle in Paris.

Xavi Simons – RB Leipzig (on loan from PSG)

The French media believe that Simons is the player that PSG will use in place of Mbappe, having welcomed him back to the club last summer for just €4 million from PSV. He is currently excelling on loan in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, where he is reportedly enjoying life greatly.

Simons’ ability to play across the forward line is something that pleased head coach Luis Enrique. This could finally be the big chance for the Netherlands star to shine.