How PSG could line up if Haaland replaces Mbappe

Martin Macdonald

2 Oct 2021 09:36 CDT
3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain have made Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland their number one target for the summer of 2022, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

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Haaland is one of the most sought after forwards in world football now after bursting onto the scene with RB Salzburg and then Dortmund, emerging as a truly fabulous goalscorer.

For BVB, the Norwegian has scored a remarkable 68 goals in just 65 starts and last season broke the record for the quickest player to score 20 Champions League goals, surpassing the time previously set by Kylian Mbappe.

Over the past year, he has been linked with most elite clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and of course PSG.

According to the Italian publication, though, PSG will step up their efforts to bring Haaland to France next summer when he will allegedly be available for a release clause of €75 million.

His future could be intrinsically linked to that of Kylian Mbappe, as PSG would naturally be keen to replace the World Cup winner should he complete his expected free transfer to Real Madrid.

PSG already have an array of superstars like Neymar and Lionel Messi, and Haaland could potentially join them to make up a devastating triumvirate.

PSG XI with Haaland

At the moment, Keylor Navas and Gianluigi Donnarumma are sharing goalkeeping duties, but as time goes on expect the Italian to make the number one position his own.

Achraf Hakimi will start at right-back, probably with Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe in the centre.

PSG, of course, have Sergio Ramos in their ranks now but he is yet to play for the club, with concerns over his short and long-term fitness.

At left-back, they will likely exercise their option to sign Nuno Mendes on a permanent basis as he is currently on loan from Sporting CP.

Georginio Wijnaldum has been in and out of the starting XI so far, but by next year we can expect the Dutchman to be a key player for PSG, with Ander Herrera and Marco Verratti in the other spots in the midfield three.

Idrissa Gueye will be 33 by next season, so may be fazed out.

If Haaland does arrive, then the front three picks itself with Messi and Neymar joining the Norwegian centre-forward.