'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Kylian Mbappe, who currently wears the number 7 jersey for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is the most valuable player in the world. Surprisingly, if rumors are to be believed, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner could very well be heading out of France in the final week of the summer transfer window.
After he turned heads in a Monaco shirt, Paris Saint-Germain paid a whopping €145 million in transfer fees to get the Frenchman on their books in 2018. Domestic league and cup success followed, and even the European dream came agonisingly close to being fulfilled. This season, PSG have assembled an even better squad, hoping to take the final step. Unfortunately, even the arrival of Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos has not yet convinced Kylian Mbappe to sign an extension.
With the number 7’s contract expiring in a year, PSG cannot afford to let their star man join a club — possibly Real Madrid — for free. This means they are likely to accept a bid in the final days of the summer transfer window.
The void left by Mbappe would be hard to fill, of course, but there are some solid options who could at least help with damage control. PSG will be desperate to replace Kylian Mbappe should they lose him this month. On that note, here is a look at the
Top 5 players who could fill in for Kylian Mbappe at PSG
#5 Mauro Icardi
If Kylian Mbappe’s sale goes through, PSG’s first instinct would be to look for a star in the transfer market. However, we believe PSG already have a capable forward in their ranks who could become a regular following Kylian Mbappe's departure.
With Lionel Messi and Neymar set to occupy both wings, all PSG need is a capable centre-forward to fill in for Kylian Mbappe, and Mauro Icardi certainly fits the bill. The former Inter Milan man is capable of performing under pressure and would heavily benefit from the creativity of Neymar and Messi. Icardi has already started in all three games for PSG this season, scoring two goals.
It might take a while for him to get accustomed to the pressure of Kylian Mbappe's shoes, but the Argentine possesses the quality to be clinical and decisive for his team.
#4 Antoine Griezmann
Thanks to Barcelona's ill-conceived transfer policy, PSG were able to get their hands on Lionel Messi for free. Unfortunately, despite unloading their biggest star, Barcelona are still in a pickle and will need to get rid of a couple of high-profile stars to get their finances in order.
Under normal circumstances, Antoine Griezmann should be untouchable at Barcelona. At present, though, he seems to be a luxury Barcelona cannot afford. Unlikely as it is, if PSG make the move for Griezmann, he will be able to move to his country, which could prove to be tempting for him. Meanwhile, the move could alleviate Barcelona's financial crisis and PSG will get a very capable Kylian Mbappe replacement.
#3 Harry Kane
Having to replace Kylian Mbappe at PSG will be no easy feat. However, we believe a certain Englishman has the potential to take up the challenge.
English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have been having a hard time finding a suitor for their captain Harry Kane, who does not wish to continue at the club this season. Spurs are determined not to sell to a rival club in the Premier League, despite strong interest from Manchester City and Manchester United. As such, Spurs could very well entertain an offer from PSG, who need a versatile forward to replace Kylian Mbappe.
A move to PSG would be a downgrade for Kane in terms of exposure as Ligue 1's following pales in comparison to that of the Premier League. However, the transfer would allow him to experience a new brand of football and play with the best player in the world: Lionel Messi. Having Mauricio Pochettino at the helm could also turn out to be decisive for PSG. Kane would certainly favor a reunion with the man who made him the world class player that he is today.
#2 Richarlison
As good as he is, Everton forward Richarlison cannot be put in the same bracket as the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Harry Kane. However, Neymar’s influence could play a key role in finding the forward a place in the star-studded PSG side as Kylian Mbappe's replacement. Several recent reports have claimed that PSG could indeed be considering a move for Richarlison.
PSG will not have to break the bank to land the Brazilian star as Kylian Mbappe's replacement, and he will not be as demanding as Griezmann or Kane. Signing Richarlison would not only give Mauricio Pochettino room for experimentation but would also allow PSG to go for big names in future transfer windows.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Kylian Mbappe has grown up idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo since his childhood. The Portuguese superstar could now very well turn out to be Kylian Mbappe's replacement at PSG.
After spending three years at Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly interested in writing a new chapter in a different country. Real Madrid and Manchester United have been mentioned at potential destinations, but neither club is looking to have their former talisman back.
PSG, on the other hand, could sign Cristiano Ronaldo to make themselves outright favorites in the UEFA Champions League. Additionally, they would be able to pride themselves as the only club to have the two greatest players of the generation at their disposal.
Since Ronaldo’s contract with Juventus is set to expire in a year, PSG might not even have to pay a hefty amount to get the Portugal captain as Kylian Mbappe's replacement. All they need is a little persuasion, and they could be able to have the 2017 Ballon d’Or finalists — Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar — as their frontmen.
Additionally, Kylian Mbappe's departure would free up significant funds in the player wages department, which could be the only concern should PSG decide to pursue Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the same team? Which fan wouldn't want to see that?!
