PSG is keen to keep Lionel Messi with them beyond this season, as the Argentinian remains a crucial player despite his age.
The World Cup winner is arguably the greatest player of all time, and the Frenchman made an astonishing swoop to add him to their squad in 2021.
He won the league last season, and his performance has improved this campaign, so they have been in talks with the Argentinian over an extension to his current term at the club.
However, Messi needs time to decide his future, making PSG worry he might leave, and they have now identified one man who could replace him.
A report in The Sun reveals the Parisians consider Rafael Leao of AC Milan good enough to fill Messi’s shoes at the Parc des Princes.
The Portuguese star is a wanted man as he drags his feet about penning an extension to his contract at Milan, and he is on the radar of the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.
However, he could be headed for Paris at the end of this season as one of the attackers signed to fill the void Messi’s departure will leave behind.
Messi is one of the world’s best, but he is not the star man at PSG, so any player can replace him at the French club. PSG has the resources to keep the World Cup winner, which means they can easily see off competition from other clubs to land Leao.
At 23, the Portuguese star offers them long-term benefits, and he is still developing, which means he would blend well with their other attackers and make it hard for them to miss Messi.
However, the Parisians would still prioritise ensuring Messi does not leave them at the end of this season. Time will tell if they succeed in keeping him.
