PSG ready to break world transfer record by signing Lamine Yamal

PSG are reportedly ready to break the world transfer record to sign Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal to replace Kylian Mbappe.

The 16-year-old phenom is widely regarded as the best teenage footballer in the world. Despite his age, the winger managed to play a total of 50 matches for the Spanish side last season.

He scored seven goals and added 10 assists during this campaign. Yamal is also currently playing for Spain at Euro 2024.

This is not the first time that PSG is interested in the youngster. The reigning Ligue 1 champions had already submitted a $218 million offer for Yamal in the spring.

Barca, however, quickly rejected the proposal. Joan Laporta, the Spanish club’s president, later admitted to having blocked Yamal’s potential transfer to PSG.

Nevertheless, World of sport PSG announced that the French club would be willing to pay Barça up to $268 million to capture Yamal. If the offer is accepted, this amount would be the highest amount ever accepted for a player in football history.

Interestingly, the two teams have already worked together to set the current transfer record. PSG paid Barca around $238 million to bring back Neymar in 2017. The Brazilian star spent six seasons in Paris before finally joining Saudi side Al Hilal for $96 million last summer.

French club must replace superstar Kylian Mbappe

PSG are clearly looking to make a splash as they enter their post-Kylian Mbappe era. The French superstar is leaving this summer after seven seasons with the club.

Despite being arguably the most valuable football star in the world, Mbappé is joining Real Madrid on a free transfer. An operation which was not really well received by PSG.

The departure of Mbappé leaves a huge void in the squad of the French team. Therefore, the club’s management are looking to sign at least one important player to help compensate for this massive loss.

PSG officials are known for not being afraid to spend big money through their stake in the Qatari state and will be active throughout the summer transfer window.

While Yamal may be the ideal replacement for Mbappé, getting a deal done with Barça is no easy feat. $268 million is obviously a lot of money for a single player. It would be hard for any team on the planet to turn down that kind of fee.

Nonetheless, the aforementioned Spanish outlet claims that the La Liga side remains adamant that Yamal is simply not for sale, regardless of the price.

Barca’s financial problems could force the club’s hand

Despite their stance regarding the youngster, Barcelona are currently facing serious financial problems.

The club had already been accused of financial fair play violations in early 2023. It then got creative in raising funds. It was mainly about getting rid of star players, but also selling small plots of Camp Nou turf.

But those financial problems aren’t over yet. In fact, LaLiga president Javier Tebas recently claimed that the club will likely have to continue selling players to ease its spending concerns.

PSG are certainly aware of these problems. Accepting the colossal fee for Yamal would potentially help Barca a lot financially.

But the Spanish club are doing their best to keep the rising young star. Barca fans will be hoping that the teenage sensation will stay at the club for many years to come, even if it means the team has to sell other players.

Photo credits: IMAGO / Sven Simon: IMAGO / PanoramiC