Manchester United could reportedly move for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is successful in completing a takeover of the club.
Sheikh Jassim is bidding for 100% of the Red Devils, with the Qatari banker determined to beat his main competitor Sir Jim Ratcliffe to a takeover.
The club's potential new owner is said to be prepared to make significant transfer funds available during this summer's transfer window, and it has been claimed that he could target a move for Mbappe.
The 24-year-old has again been in excellent form for PSG this season, scoring 35 goals and registering nine assists in 38 appearances in all competitions.
The France international has another two years left to run on his deal, but there have been claims that he could leave on a free transfer next summer under the terms of the agreement that he penned last summer, potentially opening the door for Man United to launch a big-money offer in the upcoming market.
Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Red Devils could line up if they were successful in pulling off what would be one of the most spectacular deals of all time.
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Man United continue to be linked with big-money moves for Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen, but a deal for Mbappe would make swoops for either of the centre-forwards impossible.
As a result, should the Frenchman move to Old Trafford, he would likely be used primarily as a left-sided attacker, where he has thrived for PSG and his national side in recent years.
Marcus Rashford would therefore be tasked with operating as the main centre-forward, and the England international has certainly taken his game to a new level during the 2022-23 campaign.
The 25-year-old has scored 29 goals and registered 11 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions, and he would surely relish the chance to play alongside Mbappe in the final third of the field.
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Antony has also shown plenty of positive signs in his first season at Old Trafford, scoring eight goals and registering two assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.
The 23-year-old will be expected to kick on next season, though, and he is certainly another player who would benefit from operating alongside a forward of Mbappe's quality.
Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho would also provide support next season, but Anthony Martial is expected to move on, while Wout Weghorst's loan move from Burnley will expire at the end of the campaign.
In midfield, Marcel Sabitzer could be signed on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich, while it would not be a surprise to see another player arrive in that area of the field.
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However, it seems likely that Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro will again be joined in midfield by Christian Eriksen, with the trio impressing for much of the campaign.
At the back, Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag will hope that Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane can put their injury problems behind them to continue as the first-choice centre-backs, with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw operating in the full-back positions.
David de Gea is also expected to sign a new contract in the near future and keep hold of his spot as the number one despite some issues this term.
The Spaniard is actually currently winning the race for the Golden Glove in the Premier League, keeping 15 clean sheets, putting him two ahead of Newcastle United's Nick Pope.
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It is set to be a summer of change at PSG, with Lionel Messi preparing to leave on a free transfer, so it is difficult to imagine Mbappe being allowed to depart in the same window.
However, money talks in football, and Mbappe's influence at PSG could see him attempt to force a move.
The forward has scored 206 goals and registered 97 assists in 255 matches for his current side in all competitions, and his arrival at Old Trafford would catapult Man United into title contention next term.
However, it seems that a deal could only be a possibility if Sheikh Jassim is successful in completing a takeover of the 20-time English champions, which is far from certain at this stage of proceedings.
Matt Law
