Kylian Mbappe's future remains the subject of much uncertainty after the 22-year-old confirmed that he did ask to leave Paris Saint-Germain during the summer window.
The Frenchman has admitted that he has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid, who were said to have been willing to offer PSG a £197m deal, only for the French giants to stall over a move.
As a result, Mbappe is heavily expected to complete a free transfer to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2022, and Mauricio Pochettino's side are sure to dip into their war chest should the need to replace him arise.
Here, Sports Mole looks at three players who could become Mbappe's successor at the Parc des Princes.
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There may not be a more sought-after player in world football than Erling Braut Haaland right now, with Borussia Dortmund retaining his services for the 2021-22 season before an intense bidding war commences next summer, when his £68m release clause is due to kick in.
The Norway international has registered 87 goal contributions (68 goals, 19 assists) from 67 games in a Dortmund shirt and has started the 2021-22 season as he means to go on with 11 goals and four assists in eight appearances across all competitions already.
PSG are believed to have identified Haaland as a leading candidate to replace Mbappe next summer, but convincing the 21-year-old to snub interest from Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will be no mean feat.
There is also the supposed obstacle of Mino Raiola's desired yearly wage of €50m (£42.5m) for his client, who ought to slot right into PSG's already formidable front three of Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi should the pull of Paris prove tempting.
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After weeks of speculation and sleepless nights for Daniel Levy, Harry Kane ultimately remained loyal to Tottenham Hotspur for the 2021-22 season, but another campaign without silverware and Spurs may as well kiss goodbye to the England captain.
Despite scooping the Golden Boot and Playmaker awards with 23 goals and 14 assists in the league last term, the early-season curse has bedevilled Kane this time around as well, as he has failed to find the back of the net in his opening six Premier League appearances.
Renowned hardball negotiator Levy can still drive a hard bargain next summer with Kane under contract until 2024, but the 28-year-old may be tempted by the chance to work under the wing of Mauricio Pochettino once again - assuming the Argentine is still in the Parisiens' hotseat next year.
Manchester City were the frontrunners for Kane in the most recent window, although recent reports have claimed that the Premier League champions are unlikely to pursue the striker again next summer, which could hand PSG an early advantage in the race for his services.
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Unlike the other two household names, Nice talisman Amine Gouiri was not the subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the summer window, but the 21-year-old is starting to catch the eye with his prolific performances in Ligue 1.
After registering 12 goals and seven assists for Nice last term, Gouiri has spearheaded Les Aiglons' early European charge under last season's title-winner Christophe Galtier, bagging five goals and three assists from his first eight league games in the 2021-22 season.
Even if Nice do manage to secure the unlikeliest of Champions League berths this season, Galtier will have a hard time holding on to the France Under-21 international, who is thought to be on the radar of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Gouiri is another player not due to become a free agent until 2024, but the attacker has already proved his prowess in Ligue 1 and is unlikely to command the nine-figure sum that Haaland or Kane would, meaning that he could be a viable option for Pochettino to consider in the coming months.
Ben Knapton
