PSG ready to replace Mbappe

PSG agreed to pay Benfica $72 million plus $17 million in additional fees to recruit Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos, amid unresolved problems with Kylian Mbappe.

To circumvent Financial Fair Play rules, PSG will loan Ramos for a season, with a mandatory buyout clause in the summer of 2023. This reduces the spending pressure on the French club in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, when they have poured 175 million USD into the transfer period for new players such as Manuel Ugarte, Lucas Hernandez or Lee Kang-in.

Goncalo Ramos celebrates scoring against Switzerland in the World Cup round of 16 at Lusail Stadium, Qatar on December 6, 2022. Photo: Reuters — Goncalo Ramos celebrates scoring against Switzerland in the World Cup round of 16 at Lusail Stadium, Qatar on December 6, 2022. Photo: *Reuters*

The fee Benfica will receive could be as high as $89 million, but Ramos would only be the fourth most expensive deal in the Portuguese club's history. They have previously sold three players for $90 million or more: Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix and Darwin Nunez.

PSG have yet to agree personal terms with Ramos, but this is not a big problem, according to Athletic . The 22-year-old striker will replace Kylian Mbappe - a player who is no longer allowed to train with the PSG first team due to disciplinary action.

Ramos has caught the eye of many top European clubs, after his performances last season for Benfica and the Portuguese national team. He scored a hat-trick to help his team eliminate Switzerland in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, and helped Benfica win the Portuguese championship for the 38th time. The 1.88m striker scored 27 goals and assisted 12 in 47 games last season at club level. He could be PSG's ninth new signing in the summer of 2023.

Portugal 6-1 Switzerland match in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, when Ramos scored a hat-trick.

Ramos joined Benfica at the age of 12 and has been with the club for the past 10 years. He averaged 0.79 goals per 90 minutes in the Portuguese league last season, the highest in the league. The left-footed striker has a knack for one-touch shots to the near post, as he did at the World Cup.

In addition to Ramos, PSG also reached an agreement to recruit Ousmane Dembele from Barca to replace Lionel Messi. However, the French club is considering the form of disbursement to avoid violating Financial Fair Play regulations.

Hoang An

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