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Kylian Mbappe: Victor Osimhen, Rafael Leao and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on PSG shortlist to replace star - Julien Laurens

Rob Hemingway

Updated 14/02/2024 at 21:55 GMT

Kylian Mbappe is believed to have made his decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain this coming summer, something that TNT Sports expert Julien Laurens confirmed on Wednesday night, saying "this is his last season in Paris". But who can replace the France forward? Laurens revealed three players who feature on a purported shortlist, including Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint Germain v Real Sociedad at the Parc des Princes on February 14, 2024 in Paris France.

Image credit: Getty Images

Victor Osimhen, Rafael Leao and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are three of the players on Paris Saint-Germain's shortlist to replace the departing Kylian Mbappe, says TNT Sports expert Julien Laurens.
Laurens confirmed on Wednesday night that this is Mbappe's "last season in Paris", as reported earlier this month, with Real Madrid heading the queue of suitors.
But now for PSG the focus is on activating "plan B", which involves bringing in a "marquee replacement".
Laurens, speaking at the Parc des Princes for PSG's UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with Real Sociedad, told TNT Sports: "This is his [Mbappe's] last season in Paris.
"He has decided now to leave the club at the end of the season as a free agent. The likely destination is Real Madrid. They’ve been chasing him for all those years; for so long, and finally, it will happen this summer."
Laurens added: "[Paris] will try to get a marquee signing to replace him, of course. They expected a decision anyway, so there was a plan A if he stayed, and a plan B if he left.
"The plan B will be activated now, and on that, there is a shortlist with players like Osimhen from Napoli, Rafael Leao from Milan too. There are a few players there - Kvaratskhelia as well.
"Maybe not of the standard of Kylian Mbappe right now, but certainly with great potential."
Laurens explained that Real Madrid had nearly secured Mbappe's signature two years ago, but he decided to stay with PSG in an attempt to win the UEFA Champions League.
"Seven years breaking a lot of records, scored a lot of goals, had a lot of success - not so much in the Champions League - but this could be the year," Laurens said.
PSG's chances of winning this season's UEFA Champions League have been played down by TNT Sports experts Rio Ferdinand, Glenn Hoddle and Rio Ferdinand, however.
"It’s really down to how they defend as a side," Hoddle said. "There’s two sides to this game: we all like to see the beautiful, creative play - the beautiful game - but they don’t get their defending right at this level - Champions League level."
Mbappe was the key man once again for PSG as he scored in their 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
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