Kylian Mbappe's future continues to hang over PSG's head, with the French superstar set to leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer or in a year for free. Nonetheless, the club are planning for life without their talisman and have even identified a potential replacement.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner's current Parc des Princes contract runs until 2024 and while there is an option for an additional year, only Mbappe can trigger that clause. Unfortunately for his employers, the goalscorer confirmed that he will not be extending his deal, which means PSG are at risk of losing their forward for nothing in 12 months.
As a result, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Co. are in panic mode. The French champions have already issued an ultimatum to the player, demanding that he either signs a new deal or leave this summer. However, as confirmed by Kylian himself, he has no intentions of departing.
While the club are yet to come up with an answer for this dilemma, Les Parisiens have reportedly found an answer to the next important question: if Mbappe leaves, who will replace him?
According to Foot Mercato, the Qatari-owned club have earmarked Ousmane Dembele as the ideal replacement for his countryman. Despite predominantly playing on the right, PSG are plotting making a move for the Camp Nou ace.
A move for Dembele could be relatively straightforward. The former Dortmund ace has a release clause worth €50M (just over $54M), which PSG are ready to pay in full. Whether the winger is open to leaving the Spanish champions for the Ligue 1 giants remains unclear but only half of that €50M would go to the Blaugrana, with the player and his agents pocketing the rest.
However, this all depends on Mbappe. The French champions will only move for Dembele if they manage to sell Kylian. The World Cup winner is keen on a move to Real Madrid but it remains unclear whether Los Blancos will be able to afford Mbappe following their mega-money acquisition of Jude Bellingham.
