Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly shortlisted two highly sought-after strikers to replace Lionel Messi.
Les Parisiens are now believed to be less keen on retaining Messi next season than they were previously, amid the scheduled expiry of his contract at the end of this campaign.
Read: Messi 'informs' Xavi of his Barcelona decision
Talks over a renewal were said to have begun after the player's triumphant 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign with Argentina, but no agreement was reached and it is believed negotiations have since stalled.
The 35-year-old's relationship with some of the French team's supporters has seemingly become fractured after he was booed during a home game last month, in similar fashion to last season when he and Neymar were jeered after the club was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League at the round of 16 stage.
Several reports have since suggested that this could play a role in the forward's final decision as to where he will be playing next season, while speculation has it that he has already entered into talks with his former side FC Barcelona over a potential return to the Camp Nou.
Now, sources at PSG have hinted that the likeliest outcome is Messi will leave the club at the end of his deal in June, and be replaced by a world-class striker, per Le Parisien.
It is claimed Victor Osimhen of Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani have been made the two top candidates to fill the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's shoes at the Parc des Princes.
It is suggested that PSG will use the hefty wages the Argentine is currently on to bring in two or three players, with the intent being to build the team around new captain Kylian Mbappe.
Muani has become quite familiar playing alongside the Parisians' No. 7 in the France national team, with the duo having struck up a partnership at the World Cup in Qatar.
Osimhen, meanwhile, has previously had a productive stint in Ligue 1, registering 18 goals and six assists for Lille in the 2019/20 campaign.
Read: Mbappe's mom reveals his anger towards PSG
Both forwards are on the radar of many of Europe's biggest clubs after impressing in their respective leagues this season – the Nigerian boasts 30 goal involvements in 30 games for Napoli, while Muani has contributed 20 goals and 14 assists in 39 matches in all competitions for Frankfurt.
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