Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Crystal Palace's Michael Olise have been identified as potential replacements for Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi, according to a report.
Messi is allegedly set to end his two-year association at the Parc des Princes at the end of the season as both he and the French giants have no intention to renew his contract that expires in June.
Reports about Messi's expected departure emerged just days after the 35-year-old was handed a two-week suspension without pay by PSG after taking an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia for commercial reasons, with the forward having since issued a public apology.
According to L'Equipe, PSG have already drawn up a shortlist of possible replacement for Messi ahead of the summer transfer window that includes Premier League duo Bernardo and Olise.
Citizens playmaker Bernardo has been a key cog in Pep Guardiola's machine over the years, contributing with 53 goals and 58 assists in 300 appearances across all competitions since joining from Monaco in 2017.
© Reuters
However, the four-time Premier League winners is believed to be keen to seek pastures new and has been strongly tipped to leave the Etihad Stadium for some time, with PSG and Barcelona said to be among the frontrunners for his signature.
Man City are unlikely to stand in Bernardo's way of an exit, but the reigning top-flight champions are understood to have placed a £75m asking price on the Portugal international, who is under contract at the Etihad until 2025.
With uncertainty still looming over Barcelona amid their well-documented financial problems, PSG have the finances to splash the cash on top targets such as Bernardo, especially if they remove Messi, one of the club's highest earners, from their wage bill.
Crystal Palace's rising star Olise is another target said to be on PSG's radar, having established himself as a standout performer for the Eagles since his arrival from Reading in 2021.
The versatile 21-year-old midfielder has scored two goals and provided nine assists in 34 Premier League games this season, and his performances in the English top flight are believed to have caught the eye of a number of clubs across Europe.
© Reuters
Indeed, PSG could face stern competition from Premier League title challengers Arsenal, who are allegedly weighing up a £40m summer swoop for the France Under-21 international.
However, there is hope for Palace supporters that Olise will remain at Selhurst Park for at least another season, as a recent report claims that the midfielder is prepared to rebuff summer interest in his services and continue his development as a first-team regular with the Eagles.
PSG are also understood to have Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby and Lyon forward Rayan Cherki on their list of summer targets.
Diaby, 23, has been heavily linked with a summer switch to the Premier League amid interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United, while Real Madrid are the latest club to have allegedly joined the race.
Cherki, meanwhile, is one of the brightest French prospects to have emerged from Lyon's academy, with the 19-year-old having already scored 13 goals and provided 15 assists in 98 senior appearances.
Oliver Thomas
