Paris Saint-Germain are ready to pay £140m for Arsenal star Bukaya Sako as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, according to a new report.
The French giants are already preparing for life after Mbappe, who will leave the club this summer when his contract expires.
Last month he was seen meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, but it was reported that any attempts to persuade the France captain to stay at PSG were not on the agenda.
Mbappe has been strongly linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid, although neither side has confirmed that a deal will happen.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the 24-year-old is holding regular talks with two former Real players – Los Blancos legend Sergio Ramos and his current PSG team-mate Achraf Hakimi – about his possible life in Madrid should he sign for the club.
PSG have launched a transfer policy aimed at bringing French talent to the Parc des Princes since the arrival of Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and Nordi Mukiele last summer.
Other local young players such as Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola also play key roles in the squad.
But PSG are still looking for European talent – and have selected Arsenal star Sako to replace Mbappe.
That’s according to Spanish newspaper Fichajes, who claim Saka is at the top of their shortlist this summer.
They add that PSG are ready to make a bid of at least €140 million, which would make the 22-year-old winger Arsenal’s record sale.
The report also says that Arsenal naturally “do not want” to let Saka leave, especially as it would mean that Mikel Arteta’s players would have to find an effective replacement in the summer market.
