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PSG shockingly crashed out of the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday after Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema netted a second-half hat-trick and broke the French giants' European aspirations. In the process, they essentially convinced Kylian Mbappe to join Los Blancos this summer.
Mbappe, who recently turned down a record-breaking extension at the Parc des Princes, is poised to complete a dream move to the Spanish capital and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. The only chance PSG actually had at keeping the 23-year-old was by winning the Champions League. Now that Paris is out already, it's a foregone conclusion Mbappe becomes a Madrid player in the coming months.
That being said, the Parisiens will now be in search of a replacement up top to put in between Lionel Messi and Neymar. Here are 4 potential players who the club could sign:
4 Kylian Mbappe replacements at PSG
How could we not mention Cristiano Ronaldo here? The 37-year-old is certainly not enjoying life at Manchester United, falling out of favor under Ralf Rangnick and scoring just nine Premier League goals in 23 appearances. Yes, he's getting older, but Ronaldo isn't used to coming on as a substitute. It's evident how much that has bothered him at Old Trafford.
At this point, it seems very likely he leaves the Red Devils this summer, and what better club to join next than PSG. We've never seen Cristiano play alongside Lionel Messi, but it could happen before both players eventually hang up the boots for good. Per Transfermarkt, he would only cost Paris $38.5 million as well. The Portuguese international is still more than capable of banging in goals and PSG would have no issues paying such a measly fee for him. Plus, he's never played in France.
It's not a total long shot.
Dortmund phenom Erling Haaland is one of the best players in the world and could very well take the shoes of Cristiano and Messi as the future of football, alongside Mbappe of course. Just about every big club on the globe is keen on signing the Norway international once the summer window opens, with Manchester City and Madrid considered the frontrunners at the moment.
However, PSG should be doing their due diligence to try and lure in Haaland. It's hard to find many in the sport who possess such a full package in the final third. Haaland can score goals, lay on assists, use his pace to outrun defenders, and he's physically imposing. Now, just imagine Neymar and Messi threading through balls to the Norwegian. It would put PSG right back in the mix for Champions League glory. Los Blancos are trying to swoop in for Haaland and Mbappe, but it feels unlikely they secure the signings of both. While the 21-year-old is probably keener on joining a club like Man City, who play top-notch competition on a weekly basis in the Premier League, the Paris board should try their luck.
Not exactly a high-profile name, but Victor Osimhen is rapidly making a name for himself in Serie A. The Napoli frontman is a tremendously gifted striker and although he only has 11 goals across all competitions this term, the Nigerian has dealt with injury problems at times. Osimhen is under contract until 2025 and would cost PSG $66 million to buy, which again, is chump change for their Arab owners.
Also, Osimhen previously starred for Lille before joining Napoli, netting 13 times and notching three assists during the 2019/20 campaign. He is one of the more promising up-and-comers in Europe and could fit in nicely with PSG. At just 22-years-old, his best years are yet to come and the quality in this Paris side could make him that much better.
Lautaro Martinez
Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez has really developed into a fine talent at the San Siro and bigger clubs are taking notice. Arsenal and Tottenham had their eyes on the Argentine last summer, but the Nerazzurri insisted he wasn't for sale. Martinez is one of the most well-rounded attackers in the Italian top flight, scoring 17 goals and tallying six assists last season. In 2021/22, it's been a lot of the same alongside Edin Dzeko, who came in and replaced Romelu Lukaku. Martinez already has 14 goals to his name for Inter.
PSG needs a proven striker who can come in and immediately produce goals. The 24-year-old is doing just that in Italy on a very consistent basis. Plus, he is also a terrific playmaker, which is only going to benefit those around him. Martinez is the most expensive option of the lot, with a current price tag of $88 million. He's also under contract until 2026. But with Inter failing to get anywhere in the Champions League once again, he could be keen on a move to a club like PSG who are typically one of the last clubs left in Europe's most prized competition, aside from this year, of course.
