Transfer Centre

Kylian Mbappe 'pushing for Randal Kolo Muani to join Paris Saint-Germain'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 30 April 2023

Kylian Mbappe 'pushing for Randal Kolo Muani to join PSG'

Kylian Mbappe is reportedly trying to convince in-demand Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe is reportedly pleading with compatriot Randal Kolo Muani to join the French champions this summer.

After bursting onto the scene with Nantes, winning the 2021-22 Coupe de France and scoring 12 Ligue 1 goals last term, Kolo Muani left to join Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old has made a sensational start to life in Germany, scoring 20 goals and providing 14 assists in 40 games for Oliver Glasner's side across all competitions during his debut season.

Kolo Muani is the only player to hit double figures in goals and assists during the current Bundesliga season, scoring 13 goals and setting up 12 more in 28 top-flight matches.

The France international is second to Werder Bremen's Niclas Fullkrug (16) in the race for the Golden Boot, and only Borussia Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro has set up as many goals as the Frankfurt attacker.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani celebrates scoring their first goal on January 25, 2023 © Reuters

Having hit the ground running with Frankfurt, Kolo Muani forced his way into the France squad for the 2022 World Cup, netting his side's second against Morocco in the semi-finals and registering an assist in the final against Argentina.

The striker's exploits domestically and internationally have unsurprisingly attracted the attention of several top clubs, including PSG, who are determined to bring him back to his homeland.

According to Bild journalist Christian Falk, Mbappe is in direct contact with Kolo Muani and is trying to convince his international teammate to make the move to the Parc des Princes.

However, PSG will face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich, and Frankfurt are under little pressure to sell, as Kolo Muani's contract still has four years left to run.

Furthermore, it has been reported by Fabrizio Romano that the reigning Europa League champions will only entertain "crazy" bids - likely £100m or more - for the former Nantes man in the upcoming market.

France's Randal Kolo Muani during training on November 17, 2022 © Reuters

While Frankfurt have accepted that Kolo Muani will eventually move on, they intend to keep hold of the 24-year-old for one more season before mutually parting ways in 2024.

PSG boss Christophe Galtier has worked with the famed front three of Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar this season, but the long-term futures of all three players have been called into question in recent months.

Mbappe is unlikely to depart this summer, having announced his desire to win the Champions League with PSG, but the French champions have apparently decided against renewing Messi's contract, meaning that the Argentine could leave as a free agent in June amid links with a return to Barcelona.

Neymar - who will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury - was initially expected to see out his contract at PSG, which runs until 2025, but Chelsea and Man United could test Les Parisiens' resolve this summer.

PSG added to their attacking ranks in 2022 with the loan signing of Hugo Ekitike from Reims, but the 20-year-old has started just eight Ligue 1 games this season and is unlikely to join permanently, while Mauro Icardi - on loan at Galatasaray - does not have a future in Paris and is expected to depart for good this summer.