Rafael Leao, Marcus Rashford and PSG's potential summer transfer targets to begin the post-Kylian Mbappe era

We've been here before on more than one occasion. PSG's interest in Rashford has simmered away for years now, the Parisians having repeatedly shown interest in signing Manchester United's left-sided forward.

There is a sense that for all of his quality, Rashford has been rather held back by his club. United are too chaotic, too turbulent for individuals to truly thrive. And although the now-completed partial takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems poised to bring in a sense of stability, Rashford may not be able to hit his best levels for the Red Devils.

PSG would seem a promising exit route. With Mbappe gone, Rashford would take over the mantle of being the man, while Luis Enrique's direct, counter-attacking football suits Rashford, who is at his best running in behind and taking on defenders in transition.

For all of the tactical sentiment, though, a Rashford exit from Old Trafford seems unlikely. He is, after all, United through and through, and less than 12 months removed from signing a bumper new contract. Despite his inconsistent form in 2023-24, it's improbable that the glitz of Paris turns his head.

The reports linking them with Rashford suggest that PSG want a direct replacement for Mbappe, and in truth, Leao seems much more suited to such a role. The Milan star is not quite the same player as Mbappe; he's taller, more powerful, and a better passer.

They do, however, share some similar traits. Both are excellent ball carriers, eager to take on a man, and thrive when they have space to run into. And at 24, Leao still has plenty of development to come.

There are some concerns that have to be taken into consideration. Leao is a good goalscorer, but he's never netted more than 20 in a season. His ability to play against the kind of low blocks that PSG routinely face is also not quite clear.

Still, if the idea is for PSG to sign a marquee left-sided forward who can replicate the kind of influence that Mbappe had, then Leao might be that man.

Osimhen is leaving Napoli at the end of the season - this much we know. The question is, where does he go? Chelsea and Arsenal seem to be the duelling favourites, two sides with a clear need for a No.9, and Osimhen is the best on the market.

But PSG can simply never be counted out. There have been some scattered links with Osimhen already, with The Athletic one of those to have reported that the Parisians are in the mix for his signature. It helps that football advisor Luis Campos once signed Osimhen when he was in a similar role at Lille.

The tactical fit is an imperfect one. Osimhen is best used as a central striker, and has all of the traits of a dominant modern No.9. His arrival would certainly seem to clash with the signings of Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani - two big-money arrivals for the Parisians last summer who haven't quite hit the heights yet.

But if PSG want the best goalscorer out there to replace Mbappe, Osimhen is their man.

Since we're on the topic of Napoli... Kvaratskhelia was the biggest surprise in European football last year, a largely unknown Georgian winger who became one of the most dominant players in the world at his position. He was a focal point of Napoli's remarkable title-winning season, proving to be an able goalscorer and devastating creator for a fluid attack.

Naturally, exit talk started by the end of the season, and he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid move for some time. PSG, though, appears to be a more natural fit if Kvaratskhelia is to leave Italy.

The Parisians need a left-winger, and Kvaratskhelia is one of the best out there. Napoli will certainly be reluctant to sell, as they are set to lose Osimhen this summer, and won't want to see their other big-name attacker leave. But with PSG's money, and the lure of a starring role, this one could happen.

The Barcelona summer clearout could be on the way. The Blaugrana still find themselves in financial trouble, with La Liga having decreased their salary cap limit. More than ever, Barca need to get rid of players to raise money.

And they would seem to have a number of saleable assets. Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi could all bring in a pretty penny. However, the Blaugrana would be loathe to part with any of them.

Raphinha, though, could be more expendable. Lamine Yamal has knocked the Brazilian out of the starting XI this year, leaving the former Leeds man scrapping for minutes less than two years after securing a big-money move to his dream club.

Raphinha would be a fine signing for any team who needs help on the wing. He creates chances, scores goals at a healthy rate, and is a threat with the ball at his feet. He is not an elite footballer, but he is a very good one - and Barca need to sell him. PSG could swoop in for the right price.

There is no reason Arsenal would want to part with Martinelli. He and Bukayo Saka have become one of the more empathic attacking duos in recent memory, serving as the dual wingers that set Mikel Arteta's side up for success.

But if the Parisian money is there to be spent, then Martinelli would seem to be an ideal option. He's not as powerful as Leao or as clinical as Mbappe, but there are few players in world football that are more dazzling when scampering down the left wing.

Martinelli also has the advantage of youth. The Brazil international is still only 22, and has plenty of time to develop even further. He might find that being in a system more fluid than Arteta's air-tight machine will help him reach new heights, too.

Bernardo Silva, to PSG. Again...

The Parisians came close to signing Bernardo in 2022. The player had approved the move, but PSG were on the verge of Financial Fair Play sanctions and pulled out of negotiations. Not that it has affected the Portugal international, as Bernardo has continued to thrive at Manchester City and is a key cog in Pep Guardiola's attacking juggernaut.

He isn't an Mbappe replacement; he isn't really a forward at all. But if the idea here is to spend a chunk of cash on players who will help the team, regardless of their role, then Bernardo would be a fine signing.

He may have signed a new deal last summer, but with the Cityzens looking to transition their squad into something younger, then this might be the window in which Bernardo is able to depart on good terms.

Barca do not want to lose Gavi, and Gavi does not want to leave Catalunya. But he might just have to, given the Blaugrana's financial woes. Even so, Barca will surely demand a nine-figure fee for their star midfielder, but that is something the Parisians seem able to afford.

There might just be a good spin to put on it. Joining PSG would give Gavi the chance to play for the manager who first entrusted him to wear the Spain shirt, while it would also help the Blaugrana move back towards financial security.

PSG might be reluctant to help out a European rival in such an obvious way, but if it means getting one of the best young midfielders in the world, they likely won't mind.

The first of two potential ventures into Bavaria... Kimmich is the kind of player that every football club would be lucky to have. A versatile midfielder who can also play as a right-back, the Philipp Lahm-regen is still among the world's best.

However, he's having a down year. There has been talk of a hostile relationship between him and soon-to-leave boss Thomas Tuchel, and with just one year left on his current contract, a summer departure has been talked up as a real possibility. The potential arrival of Xabi Alonso might convince him to stay, but if the Bavarians don't get their appointment right, then it's difficult to see why Kimmich would stick around.

PSG, it just so happens, could use an extra defensive midfielder, and so this could end up making sense for all parties.

A second disgruntled man in Munich, De Ligt has endured a rather public fallout with Tuchel this season, and, when everyone is fit, doesn't get a regular shot at the first team. It marks a sharp change for a player who was once regarded as the heir apparent to Virgil van Dijk in the Dutch national team.

And he might still be that player. The Parisians are on the hunt for a Marquinhos replacement, and could do with an all-round centre-back to anchor their defensive unit for the coming years. De Ligt would seem to fit the bill, especially if he is available at the right price. PSG appears as good of a place as any to kickstart his stuttering career.

Yoro has been on the list of a number of top clubs around Europe for a few months now. At just 18, the Lille centre-back has been compared to the likes of Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba, such is his quality at such a young age.

It would seem to be an odd juncture for the defender to move. He still needs time to play, and Lille offer him an excellent chance to do so at a high level. With 21 Ligue 1 appearances this season, he is only just scratching the surface of his potential.

However, it has been reported that a €90 million (£77m/$98m) bid could be enough to secure his services. PSG are definitely interested, and they could pay up so as to develop one of the future cornerstones of the French national team.