The 28-year-old was an integral part of PSG’s treble-winning side last season, scoring 33 goals and registering 15 assists in all competitions.

But the forward is expected to face competition for the award from the likes of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

However, PSG’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, said there is “no doubt” the Frenchman will be crowned the winner at the ceremony in Paris in September.

“Ousmane’s season is magnificent. There is no doubt that he won’t win the Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t win it, there is a problem with the Ballon d’Or. He has done everything,” he told DAZN.

Dembele was instrumental in PSG winning their first UEFA Champions League title.

The forward made two assists in the 5-0 thrashing of Internazionale in the final in May and contributed vital goals against Liverpool and Arsenal en route to the showpiece match in Munich.

With PSG now targeting more silverware as they prepare for their FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Bayern Munich, Dembele is aware his performances in the United States could yet support his case for the award.

The Frenchman told DAZN: “I’m thinking about [the Ballon d’Or]. I know that, with the season that I have had, I am not far [from the Ballon d’Or], but I am focused on the objectives, before thinking about myself.”

Another trophy for the Parisians may also boost the chances of Dembele’s team-mate Vitinha, who is also among the favourites for the award.

But it is Barcelona’s 17-year-old superstar Yamal who is expected to pose the greatest threat to Dembele.

The winger scored 18 goals and registered 25 assists in all competitions for the Catalan side as they won the domestic treble and reached the last four of the Champions League.

Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov backed Yamal for the award but claimed the youngster still has room for improvement.

“If he wins it, I’ll give it to him personally,” Stoichkov said on Carrusel Deportivo. “Lamine Yamal is a very young boy who has a long way to go. I really enjoy watching him because he has so many interesting qualities.”

Al-Khelaifi was speaking at a news conference to introduce Luis Enrique as PSG’s new manager following the sacking of Christophe Galtier.

France striker Mbappe, 24, has told PSG that he will not extend his contract with them beyond 2024.

“Our position is very clear,” said Al-Khelaifi.

“If Kylian Mbappe wants to stay – we want him to stay – he needs to sign a new contract.

“We cannot let the best player in the world right now leave for free. That is impossible.”

Mbappe has the option of a further year when his deal expires after next season but has said that while he plans to stay with the French champions for the 2023-24 campaign, he does not intend to activate the contract extension.

If that is the case, he would be able to leave for free next summer.

“This is a French club and, as he has said, he is not planning to leave for free,” added Al-Khelaifi.

“If somebody has changed his mind, it is not our fault.”

Mbappe, who joined PSG in 2017 initially on loan from Monaco before a 180m euros (£165.7m) transfer, has scored 212 goals in 260 games for the club.

He finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer in each of the past five seasons and has won five league titles in his six seasons at PSG.

Al-Khelaifi spoke to introduce Luis Enrique at the start of the news conference before making his comments about Mbappe after the Spaniard had spoken to the media.

Former Spain and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has signed a two-year contract with PSG following the departure of Galtier, who was sacked despite winning the Ligue 1 title in his one season in charge.

It is his first role since he stepped down as Spain’s manager in December after defeat by Morocco on penalties in the last 16 of the World Cup.

His last job in club management was at Barcelona, where he won nine trophies in three seasons between 2014 and 2017, including the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey Treble in his first campaign in charge.

He went on to replace Fernando Hierro as Spain’s manager in 2018 and led his country to the final of the Nations League and the semi-finals of the European Championship in 2021.

The former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder takes over a PSG squad in transition.

As well as uncertainty about Mbappe’s future, there is a question mark over the future of Brazil forward Neymar following Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s departure to Inter Miami.

The club’s Qatari owners are intent on trying to build a team rather than continuing the policy of signing high-profile players, which has so far failed to deliver the Champions League success they crave.

Early signs had been promising under Galtier after he replaced Mauricio Pochettino last summer.

PSG started last season strongly with a 22-game unbeaten streak but lost nine times in all competitions after the resumption following the World Cup.

A 2-1 loss to Marseille in the last 16 of the French Cup in February was followed by a defeat against Bayern Munich at the same stage of the Champions League.

And PSG’s league form also waned as they limped to the Ligue 1 title, finishing just one point above runners-up Lens.

Galtier also came under increasing pressure off the pitch after being accused in April of making racist remarks during his time in charge at his previous club Nice – allegations that he has denied – and will go on trial in December as a result of an investigation.

PSG said: “The entire Paris St-Germain team would like to thank Christophe Galtier, as well as his assistants Thierry Oleksiak and Joao Sacramento, for their professionalism and commitment throughout the season.”

BBC Sport understands Al-Khelaifi was contacted by the Glazer family a month ago as United’s owners tried to get Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to raise his offer.

The conversation with Al-Khelaifi has led to suggestions of a wider Qatari involvement in Sheikh Jassim’s bid.

Sheikh Jassim has repeatedly said his offer was made in a personal capacity.

Speaking in Istanbul before the Champions League final after a meeting of the influential European Clubs’ Association (ECA) he chairs, Al-Khelaifi said he has done nothing unusual and his involvement is solely with PSG.

“Paris St-Germain is my club, in my heart, and I have nothing to do with Manchester United,” he said.

“It makes me laugh. I am Qatari, right? If people ask me my opinion, I will answer them for sure – and that’s what they do.

“I am talking about anyone, not just Manchester United. I will give them the experience that I have. That’s it.”

Last week, Sheikh Jassim lodged his fifth bid for United, which remains on the table despite suggestions he would not engage with the process beyond last Friday.

He wants to buy 100% of United, while rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group are willing to secure a majority stake, which would allow the Glazer family to retain representation in some capacity.

Al Khelaifi is the chairman of beIN Sport, a state-owned broadcaster based in Doha as well as the boss of Qatari Sports Investments.

He demonstrated his willingness to offer advice by revealing last month he spoke to a wealthy group who wanted information around potential investment in two English clubs.

“I’m not going to mention them but one was small, the other big,” he said. “I don’t know who the guy was. But I told him my opinion.”

Al-Khelaifi, who denies he met the Raine Group who are handling the United sale process, says he welcomes new investment into the game, from Qatar and elsewhere.

“I want the best for European competitions,” he said.

“If it’s within the regulation, why not? Not only Qatari, everyone.”

Juventus welcome in ECA after Super League ‘mistake’

Al-Khelaifi also addressed the latest development around the remaining three members of the European Super League and Juventus’ demand for talks with Real Madrid and Barcelona, which they hope will lead to them quitting the project.

The Serie A giants have been mired in financial controversy in recent months as a result of accounting methods that eventually led to a 10-point deduction, which cost them a place in the Champions League.

Juventus had previously remained loyal to the Super League project as they wait for a ruling from the European Courts’ of Justice around whether European football’s governing body Uefa is entitled to hold a monopoly position.

However, Juventus have now stepped away from that position and Al-Khelaifi believes it is the right thing to do.

“It is a smart decision for them to leave,” he said. “There is no future there. They are wasting time, energy and money.

“It makes sense to go back to the family. Everyone makes mistakes. But the smart people realise their mistakes and correct them. We welcome anyone back if they realise their mistakes. That is what they should do.”