From France: PSG identify Manchester City superstar as ‘major target’ and Kylian Mbappe replacement

Manchester City could be subject to transfer interest from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, as the French club brace themselves for life without Kylian Mbappe.

Information concerning possible replacements for the France international are emerging less than 24 hours after Kylian Mbappé informed PSG president, Nasser Al Khelaifi that he will leave the club as a free agent during the upcoming summer.

As such, the Paris-based club appear to have sparked into action over their hunt to replace the 25-year-old former AS Monaco man, with a number of names from across the European game emerging as possible replacements in their squad.

Manchester City have suddenly emerged as a possible market for PSG to explore, with French media linking one of Pep Guardiola’s most integral first-team stars with a switch over to Paris, and the Etihad club may have their hands tied to some extent when it comes to a transfer fee.

That is according to the information of French news outlet L’Equipe, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, who report that Bernardo Silva has now emerged as a ‘major target’ for Paris Saint-Germain ahead of a significant summer transfer window for the Ligue 1 side.

It is claimed that the Paris side have been ‘dreaming of luring’ the Portugal international to the French capital for a number of years, and the ‘interest is mutual’ when it comes to working together, amid ongoing discussion in the media over a possible revived desire to leave City.

L’Equipe themselves have also debated whether this could be the ‘right year’ to get a deal done for Bernardo Silva, given the Manchester City playmaker now has a ‘fairly low release clause’ in his Etihad Stadium contract worth around €60 million.

Bernardo Silva has been pretty insistent on a Manchester City departure for a number of seasons now, having fallen somewhat unhappy with the cultural and environmental elements of life on offer in the north-west of England.

Barcelona and SL Benfica have both been discussed as potential destinations for the playmaker, with both clubs understandably struggling to finance a move that would satisfy all the relevant parties.

Bernardo Silva’s teammates have been well aware of his desire to leave in recent seasons, with compatriot Ruben Dias speaking during a recent interview that the rolling saga is like a TV series.

“At a certain moment last summer I thought Bernardo (Silva) might go but I always tell him that every summer we have this series which is called ‘Bernardo is going nowhere’”, Dias said. “This is the third summer since I have been here and there is a new episode every year.

“I was really happy when he signed (a new Manchester City contract) because if you want to win trophies Bernardo is exactly the kind of player you need around you.”