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via Reuters

via Reuters

The Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ 2003-05 team failed to win the coveted UCL. PSG also adopted this superstar approach and assembled its version of Galacticos with a team consisting of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani, and later Lionel Messi. A similar fate followed and PSG couldn’t get their hands on the UCL. Now, Mbappe’s contract is about to expire and reports have emerged of a potential agreement with Real Madrid. In this context, the Parisian club has been warned that “They might have to take a couple of steps backwards, to go forward .”

This is the opinion of former Liverpool midfielder and soccer pundit Don Hutchinson. Speaking on the ESPN FC show, he wants the club to invest in younger talent to replace the Frenchman. He said, “I think they’ve gone down that route now. They’ve gone the sort of Galactico Route. It didn’t work. I think now the young players that they’ve got, add to that and make them a sort of solid team.” As per the pundit, this won’t be an easy transition.

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He added that the club might have to take a few backward steps in the process. But Hutchinson believed that is the way forward, “Than just investing silly money into players that are not good enough or not fit enough.” As per the latest news, Real Madrid has reached a deal to sign Kylian Mbappe. Although Madrid won’t be paying PSG any money, Nasser Al Khelaifi has a strategic agreement in place.

This reportedly means that Mbappe will be paying PSG, the signing bonus he will receive from his new contract. The bonus amount could amount to potentially $106 million. Hence, PSG won’t be short of cash to sign a replacement for the Frenchman. Although, they have been advised against spending ‘silly money‘, they might just need to do that, if they are to land their #1 target.

PSG eyes a Serie A winner who won’t come in cheap, to replace Kylian Mbappe!

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AC Milan’s Rafael Leao is reportedly PSG’s preferred choice to replace the Frenchman should he depart. Just like the PSG ace, Leao plays on the left flank with speed and a burst of acceleration. The Portuguese star, who was the Serie A MVP in 2021/22, had an incredible last season, scoring 15 goals and recording 8 assists.

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Moreover, he has close ties with Luis Campos, who is PSG’s soccer advisor owing to their time at Lille. However, he has a contract at AC Milan until 2028 with a steep release clause of $189 million. Hence, getting him will require a sizeable cheque to be written by the French champions.

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Should PSG go all in for Rafael Leao? Tell us in the comments below.

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