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.
Read the full article at PSG Talk Extra Time on Substack.
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.
Read the full article at PSG Talk Extra Time on Substack.
