Kylian Mbappe announced his intention to leave PSG this summer to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi on Thursday.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is able to leave les Parisiens on a free transfer this summer.
The former World Cup winner is heavily expected to join Real Madrid, while Premier League sides Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked with a move in recent weeks.
But for PSG, it leaves a huge hole to fill in the side as they prepare for life without their star man for the last seven seasons.
Five options PSG could replace Mbappe with
According to reports, PSG plan to focus their rebuild on the growth of the talented young players they have at their disposal but they plan to make three big signings to stave off the loss of Mbappe.
At least one of those signings will be in a wide forward position to directly replace Mbappe and they surely will be looking at players with similar characteristics to the former Monaco star.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
As such, using Macro Football’s player impact tool, which uses analytics to understand a player’s seasonal impact, five exciting options to replace him have emerged.
🚨🚨 BREAKING: Kylian Mbappé has now informed PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi that he will LEAVE the club as free agent.The terms of the departure are yet to be fully agreed but he will LEAVE Paris in the summer — Kylian has yet to fulfil his commitments to the club. pic.twitter.com/bD0ji3CTyA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 15, 2024
Werder Bremen winger Justin Njinmah has a 98.6% similarity to Mbappe on the scale and would provide a wildcard alternative to him this summer. Njinmah has four goals and two assists to his name in the Bundesliga this term.
However, the four other alternatives identified are a lot more eye-catching. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Bayern Munich’s French youngster Matthys Tel both have a 97.2% similarity rating to Mbappe although both may be difficult to prise away this summer.
However, Liverpool star Mo Salah has a 96.2% similarity rating and with his contract set to expire in 2025 and Jurgen Klopp’s departure from the club this summer, the 31-year-old could be tempted by one more big move.
Another interesting option could be Napoli’s Kvicha Kvaratshkelia. The Georgian international has a 96.1% similarity rating and his performances helped inspire Napoli to the Serie A title last season.