The Serie A striker could replace Mbappe at PSG

Despite their best efforts to retain Mbappe's services for the long term, PSG will finally be bidding farewell to the 25-year-old when his deal expires at the end of the season.

Mbappe had already informed the French champions last summer that he would not be triggering the 12-month extension in his contract, leading to his brief banishment from the first team as PSG did their utmost to sell him.

Les Parisiens will now be losing the Real Madrid-bound attacker for nothing when the campaign concludes, but they will be saving a reported €200m (£170.8m) in annual wages and will not have to pay Mbappe his loyalty bonus either.

Despite already possessing Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele up top, PSG will be expected to invest some of the monies saved from Mbappe's departure into bolstering their offensive ranks further.

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport - via Sport Bild - Luis Enrique's side have now set their sights on Mbappe's compatriot Marcus Thuram, who has enjoyed a fine first season at Inter Milan.

The France international, whose father is legendary defender Lilian Thuram, made a name for himself at Borussia Monchengladbach before leaving on a free transfer for Inter during the 2023 summer window.

Forming a fearsome strike partnership with Lautaro Martinez, Thuram has hit double figures in goals and assists in the Serie A season, registering 11 goals and the same number of assists in 30 matches.

The former Sochaux youngster has started 29 top-flight contests for Simone Inzaghi's side, who are on the brink of being crowned Italian champions as they sit 14 points clear of AC Milan at the top of the table with six games left.

Thuram's contract at San Siro runs for another four seasons, but Inter would apparently be open to offers of around €80m (£68.3m) for the 26-year-old, who snubbed PSG last summer to don the Nerazzurri colours.

As PSG abandon their old principles of pursuing established superstars, Enrique will likely oversee improvements in all areas of the field this summer as part of Les Parisiens' continued rebuild, but a big-money striker will still be a top priority.

Thuram's fellow Serie A attacker Victor Osimhen is regarded as the prime candidate to step into Mbappe's shoes amid the expectation that the Nigerian will be departing Napoli this summer, and PSG are supposedly prepared to trigger his nine-figure release clause.

Liverpool's Luis Diaz could also be one to watch, as the Reds are supposedly weighing up whether to offload the Colombian this summer or offer him a new contract, while Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is of interest too.

A swoop for the teenager is considered too audacious at this moment in time, though, while Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is apparently of no interest to Enrique's side right now.