Mbappe’s tenure at the Parc des Princes is nearing its end, with the French forward signaling his intent to depart once his contract expires in a few months.
The 25-year-old, widely anticipated to join Real Madrid in the summer, is poised to follow in the footsteps of other PSG departures, including Neymar and Lionel Messi. PSG’s inability to translate domestic success into Champions League triumphs has been a driving force behind such exits.
Neymar’s move to Al Hilal last summer, for a reported fee of €90m, underscored the financial muscle of Middle Eastern clubs. Meanwhile, Messi’s departure to MLS’s Inter Miami remains the world-record transfer, with PSG shelling out €222m to Barcelona.
In a bid to fill the void left by Mbappe’s imminent departure, PSG has reportedly set its sights on Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal.
The Spanish club rebuffed PSG’s initial offer of €200m for the 16-year-old winger, whose contract includes a €1bn buyout clause.
Despite Barcelona’s firm stance on retaining Yamal, PSG is reportedly determined to pursue him as a potential replacement for Mbappe. Agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly engaged with Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, in discussions regarding Yamal’s availability, although Laporta has reiterated that the youngster is not for sale.
As PSG looks to bolster its squad, the question remains whether they will return with a higher bid to tempt Barcelona into parting ways with their promising academy product.
