Transfer Talk: PSG look to Osimhen as Mbappe replacement

Posted Saturday, February 17, 2024 by ESPN

Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to The Athletic.

The 25-year-old is reported to be a "leading candidate" to reinforce a forward line that is set to be without Kylian Mbappe next season, with the Ligue 1 club moving quickly to establish potential replacements.

Sources confirmed to ESPN's Julien Laurens on Thursday that Mbappe had informed the Parc des Princes hierarchy of his intention to leave when his contract expires in the summer, though an agreement is yet to be reached elsewhere amid rumours of a switch to Real Madrid.

Osimhen, who has experience in Ligue 1 for Lille, where he was signed by PSG's current football advisor Luis Campos, has remained one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe, after scoring 26 league goals in Napoli's Scudetto-winning campaign last season.

Previous reports have indicated that an offer of €150 million could be required to sign him from Gli Azzurri, who he remains contracted with until the summer of 2026.

Meanwhile, L'Equipe reports that another option for PSG is signing multiple forwards to replace to Mbappe "collectively." Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester City's Bernardo Silva are said to be two options that are on their radar.

The 31-year-old Salah will enter the final year of his contract at Anfield in the summer, while the 29-year-old Silva was previously linked with the Ligue 1 champions last year.