Barcelona are reportedly set to make a move for Kylian Mbappe to replace Neymar, who looks destined to join PSG this summer.
According to a report in Daily Mail, PSG are growing increasingly confident of landing Neymar in a shock move from Barcelona this summer. With the Brazilian likely to depart from Camp Nou, the Catalan club are set to turn their attention towards AS Monaco prodigy Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe enjoyed a sensational campaign with Monaco this past season as he played a pivotal role for Monaco, who stunned everyone with their Ligue 1 triumph. Still all of 18, the player’s rise has been stupendous – he has taken no time to establish himself as an instrumental figure at Stade Louis II.
Famously hailed as the ‘next Thierry Henry’ in France, Mbappe’s record last season was nothing short of remarkable. He bagged 26 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances, making a direct contribution to a goal every 66 minutes – staggering numbers for a player whose career is still in its infancy.
Barcelona will line up Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti if they cash in by selling Neymar to PSG. pic.twitter.com/uxQY23CsYs
— Mootaz (@MHChehade) July 20, 2017
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the teenager has attracted interest from the who’s who of footballing world over the last few months. The latest entrant in the race to sign him are Barcelona, who are desperately looking for a top attacker.
Neymar, who has been integral to the Catalan club’s fortunes since making the move to Camp Nou in 2013, is reportedly set to call time on his stint with the Blaugrana this summer, with his next destination rumoured to be PSG.
While Barcelona have insisted that the Brazilian is staying put, widespread reports indicate that the star forward is keen on departing for the French capital. With Les Parisiens growing increasingly confident of landing Neymar, Barcelona have been forced to delve into the transfer market for an attacking player.
They have, thus, set their sights on Mbappe whose reportedly astronomical transfer fee wouldn’t be a problem, with Neymar’s deal set to fetch them €222 million. At 18, with his entire career ahead of him, the France international will be a long-term solution for Barcelona as well.
His versatility means that he can also take up the mantle of becoming the focal point of Barcelona’s attack when Luis Suarez leaves. However, Monaco are likely to be unwilling to part ways with Mbappe, having already lost two key first-team players in this summer’s transfer window.
It now remains to be seen if Barcelona are able to secure the services of the teenage prodigy. The move for Mbappe though hinges on Neymar leaving, so it will be interesting to see if the Brazilian superstar indeed ends up departing from Camp Nou.
