PSG admits Mbappe will move to Madrid line up AC Milan star Leao as replacement

Paris Saint-Germain are planning for life potentially without Kylian Mbappe next season.

The France captain is set to decide his future in the coming months as he nears the end of his contract in Paris.

Mbappe has the option to extend his deal at the Parc des Princes by a further 12 months or accept a long-standing offer from Real Madrid.

Los Blancos are confident they can secure a free transfer agreement for Mbappe but nothing has been confirmed at the start of 2024.

Even as per a recent report by Ramon Alvarez de Mon, Mbappe is heading to Madrid, and PSG are aware of his decision.

The Paris outfit have tried its best to retain the World Cup winner’s services, and have also given him the biggest contract in Europe, including off-the-pitch privileges.

However, all of that seems to be coming to an end as Madrid firmly believes this summer is the one when they finally wrap this signing up.

Arriving on a free transfer, Mbappe will expect a huge signing bonus and the biggest paycheck in the league, if not Europe. Past reports have stated that Madrid’s fresh offer to him is lower than what they were proposing last summer, but is still substantial.

If recent news is to be believed, Los Blancos are ready to offer him a €130 million signing bonus, with a €26 million salary. His current salary is reportedly worth well over €60 million, but Madrid are not ready to match that.

He will, however, be the highest-earner in the Madrid squad by some distance, with David Alaba and Toni Kroos pocketing just over €10.5 million, as per AS.

Now, it remains to be seen if the transfer goes over the line, especially with the financial terms that have been offered to Mbappe.

As per reports from French source Telefoot, PSG are working on options to replace Mbappe, with AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao on their shortlist.

However, the Portugal international signed a contract extension at the San Siro last summer and is tied to the club until 2028, with a €175m release clause.

If Mbappe leaves, that would free up significant salary space for Leao, but PSG are unlikely to meet his full clause valuation.

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the best attackers in the Italian top flight since landing in Milan in 2019 with 41 league goals and 28 assists.