Potential Kylian Mbappé-Compatible Alternatives to Dušan Vlahović
Signing a striker is at the top of Paris Saint-Germain's to-do list this summer, but which signings are realistic and who would pair best with Kylian Mbappé?
Paris Saint-Germain’s talisman Kylian Mbappé returns to pre-season training this week, with his future the subject of intense speculation since the end of the 2022-23 campaign. The French superstar’s current contract is expiring in the summer of 2024, yet he intends to play out the 2023-24 term at Parc des Princes, where Luis Enrique will be head coach after replacing Christophe Galtier. Sporting advisor Luis Campos is rebuilding the squad, with Xavi Simons’ imminent return from PSV Eindhoven the latest piece in the attacking jigsaw.
The futures of Mbappé and Neymar remain the most significant questions to be solved, but that has not stopped Campos from identifying Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović as a potential fit. The Serbia international has struggled since his move to Turin from Fiorentina and Juve’s need to raise funds after a disappointing and controversial season for the Italian giants. Should a PSG move for Vlahović not materialize this summer, we will look at potential alternative fits to the 23-year-old from Belgrade.
Folarin Balogun
One of the hot names on this summer’s transfer market is Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun after his prolific loan spell with Stade de Reims. Although one goal-filled campaign with the Champagne club is probably not enough to convince PSG to move for the USMNT star, especially after Hugo Ekitiké’s first-year struggles, Balogun is likely to now be on the radars of even the biggest clubs in case he follows up his Reims form with another productive campaign. The 22-year-old’s future is likely to lie away from London and could even see him return to France, but the Gunners’ hefty asking price is yet to be met, with Inter the latest to be linked with the New York-born striker. PSG could be one of those clubs keeping an eye on his development to see whether this was simply a flash in the pan or something more than that.
Elye Wahi
Similar to Balogun, Montpellier HSC’s Elye Wahi is another France-based attacking talent that is attracting interest of late, with Arsenal, Inter, and Olympique de Marseille among those to have been heavily linked. PSG is also said to have asked after the 20-year-old, who has shown prolific potential with La Paillade since his 2020 breakthrough. Wahi’s questionable off-field past has raised questions over his character and conduct, which could complicate any potential future move, but there is no doubt that his on-field potential is substantial. It is little surprise that big names are monitoring him given that he almost hit 20 goals in Ligue 1 last season, and a move to a French club in continental competition could make sense for the Courcouronnes-born talent.
Rasmus Højlund
Another talent starting to attract admiring glances across Europe from names such as Manchester United is Atalanta’s Rasmus Højlund, who PSG reportedly asked after recently. The 20-year-old almost hit double figures in Serie A last season, having arrived from Sturm Graz in Austria and is a full Denmark international. There is little doubt that Højlund is on the path to being a top talent, but he equally has not put up the sort of prolific numbers that Balogun and Wahi have in Ligue 1. Given the prices touted for three talents of similar ages, the Montpellier man would likely represent the best value for money.
Romelu Lukaku
A potential wildcard move for PSG similar to the signing of Eric Maxim Choupo Moting a few years ago could be Romelu Lukaku. Unlikely to return to Inter after his most recent loan spell, the Belgium international could be on the move from Chelsea permanently, and his profile, despite some fitness issues, could give Luis Enrique’s squad a different type of attacking presence. Mbappé has spoken in the past of his desire to play alongside a focal point in the attack, similar to how France has set up with Olivier Giroud, and Lukaku could tick that box, although it would be a gamble given the 30-year-old’s form since leaving Inter for Chelsea back in 2021 after leading the Nerazzurri to the Serie A title.
Jonathan David
Lille OSC’s Jonathan David is an intriguing profile as he was one of the players to run Mbappé closest for the top scorer award in Ligue 1, along with Alexandre Lacazette of Olympique Lyonnais. The Canada international has developed into a prolific source of goals for Les Dogues, and he is still just 23. Although not quite the focal point profile, which might work best with Mbappé, David could still pair well with the Frenchman as part of a goal-rich tandem, provided enough chances were created for the two players behind them. LOSC’s price tag seems to be putting potential suitors off, while any David departure would likely see one of Balogun or Wahi move to Stade Pierre Mauroy as the Canuck’s replacement. Also, it is worth noting that Campos signed David from KAA Gent for Lille back in 2020 and will have detailed knowledge of his expected potential.
Gonçalo Ramos
A name that has cropped up a few times with increasing regularity this past year is that of SL Benfica’s Gonçalo Ramos. The 22-year-old Portugal international is coming off the back of a strong season in the Portuguese top-flight, where he finished three goals behind Porto’s Mehdi Taremi on 19 goals with an additional three goals in the UEFA Champions League while being eight years younger than the Iran international. Top European clubs are looking at Ramos, so competition will be fierce if PSG moves for him, but Campos’ knowledge and expertise in the Portugal market should be invaluable here, and it could be worth paying a little more for Ramos than Vlahovic given his potential fit in this Parisien attack and arguably greater potential. With Manuel Ugarte joining Nuno Mendes in the capital, Ramos could be a continuation of what is becoming a talent pipeline from Portugal to Paris.