Can Ousmane Dembele fill Kylian Mbappe's shoes at PSG?

PSG is determined not to let the Kylian Mbappe deal further impact their transfer window and has recently reached a verbal agreement with Barcelona star, Ousmane Dembele, for a five-year contract.

Further details on the deal

After days of contract and project discussions, Paris Saint-Germain has successfully secured a verbal agreement with Ousmane Dembele to transfer from FC Barcelona on a five-year contract.

The potential transfer of the French winger to PSG has been a subject of speculation for several months. Recently, PSG took decisive action by triggering his €50m release clause, which was set to expire on August 1.

As of this week, the transfer seems to be nearing its final stages, with PSG drafting the final deal documents and Dembele reportedly providing his approval for the deal, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Beyond the deal

PSG's transfer pursuit is mainly focused on bolstering their attacking front, considering several major departures during this summer:

• Leo Messi leaving for Inter Miami CF
• Mauro Icardi's move to Galatasaray
•  Uncertainty surrounding Neymar's future with the club
• The significant blow of Mbappe eyeing an exit from the club.

With the signings of Kag-In Lee, Marco Asensio, Manuel Ugarte, and more, PSG aims to revamp the team to provide new coach Luis Enrique with a capable squad to secure the UEFA Champions League—a trophy they have been pursuing since establishing themselves as a football powerhouse.

Ousmane Dembele enjoyed an impressive run of form last season with Barcelona and significantly contributed to securing the La Liga 2022-2023 title, providing seven assists and scoring five goals, while creating numerous other goal-scoring chances.

The PSG board believes that the addition of the French winger, along with Asensio and Lee, would bolster Enrique's attack in case Mbappe departs.

Deal details for Dembele to PSG

If Dembele swiftly concludes Barca's preseason tour in the United States, he could promptly submit his €50 million release clause payment to La Liga headquarters well before the Monday midnight deadline. Subsequently, both Dembele and his agent, Moussa Sissoko, would each receive half of the amount.

In the event that he does not meet the set deadline, the necessary payment to free Dembele from his contract in Catalonia will increase twofold to €100 million by August 1st. However, this amount remains within PSG's financial reach and does not pose a significant obstacle. Nevertheless, based on Dembele's past performance record, PSG might end up on the losing side of the deal if it goes through.

Can Dembele cover-up Mbappe's absence?

Dembele might not get the chance to share the field with his international teammate, Kylian Mbappe, as the latter is increasingly likely to leave the club after a turbulent few weeks at PSG.

Mbappe has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for the past couple of seasons, and this year, it seems highly likely to happen after the 24-year old rejected a contract extension with PSG. This move has angered the entire PSG board, prompting them to put him on the transfer list to avoid losing the forward for free.

Some interpret Dembele's transfer as a signal from PSG management that they will not let the entire Mbappe drama hinder their transfer window activity any further. However, the question remains: Can they truly mitigate the impact of Mbappe's departure with Dembele?

The scenario looks unlikely for several reasons:

• Mbappe's goal-scoring prowess is too significant for Dembele to fill, considering the latter's goals-stat hasn't been exceptional since his move to Barca from Borussia Dortmund.
• Dembele's history of injuries poses a risk factor for PSG over the season.
• PSG still lacks a high-level striker on their squad, and with Dembele's tendency to cross the ball into the box, the absence of a box striker will certainly affect their attacking potency.

The final lap of the Dembele to PSG contract is yet to be completed, and only time will tell if Paris is the ideal place for the 26-year old winger to reach his full potential and live up to his agent's claim of being a future Ballon D'or contender.