One of the largest transfer sagas in football history is finally nearing its dramatic conclusion.
Kylian Mbappé has been the main man at PSG for over half a decade but, with his contract expiring in June 2024 and no extension on the horizon, it looks more and more likely that the superstar French forward will be taking his talents elsewhere as he enters the prime of his career.
With plenty of rumors swirling, including potential moves to Real Madrid or the Premier League, let’s take a look at the latest Kylian Mbappé transfer news.
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Mbappé Keeps Quiet
Ask Mbappé himself, and you won’t get much of an answer about his future plans.
The former World Cup champion has been tight-lipped about his next move. In an interview with French publication Telefoot he remained adamant on not discussing the subject.
“It’s something I don’t want to talk about,” said Mbappé. “Especially since I already did it in June and it took up a big part of the international break. I want us to talk more about the national team, rather than me talking about something that will be resolved one day, so there will be time to talk about that.”
But, just because the man himself isn’t talking doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of rumors to discuss.
Time is Ticking at PSG
If you go off the words of PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Mbappé was all set to be moved this summer. With little progress on extension talks, Al-Khelaifi made it clear the global superstar would be moved if pen wasn’t put to paper.
“We want him to stay but he can’t leave for free,” said Al-Khelaifi. “It was our oral agreement and he had expressed it publicly in an interview. So, it’s not debatable.”
However, a move last summer never materialized, and Mbappé remains a PSG player, at least for now. The Parisian club appears to be preparing for his eventual loss, most notably with their €95 million move for French International and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani.
If PSG is to recoup some of their €180 million transfer fee for Mbappe, they’ll have to act quickly. With no contract extension on the horizon, Mbappé is free to speak to clubs during the January transfer about a move in the summer. That doesn’t mean PSG can’t still get a hefty transfer fee for him, as a top club may be willing to pay a high price for the exclusive rights to his signature.
Real Madrid in Doubt
Ask football fans where Mbappé will play next year, and nine out of ten will probably say Real Madrid, but is it as likely as you might think?
Los Blancos are obviously a major contender for the French phenom’s signature, but recent reports suggest that financial difficulties could keep them out of the running. According to journalist Josep Pedrerol with the Spanish football talk show El Chiringuito, Mbappé is asking for 35 million Euros net if he were to join Real Madrid, making him the highest-paid player on the team.
Madrid themselves have denied having contact with Mbappé in recent weeks, but this statement could just be to avoid punishment, as they are technically not allowed to negotiate with the player until the 1st of January.
Is Liverpool an Option?
With a move to Real Madrid not being the shoe-in that it once was, is a possible switch to the Premier League on the table? Both Chelsea and Liverpool have been rumored destinations for Mbappé, but the Reds seem the more viable destination considering Chelsea’s current league standing and potential upcoming FFP penalties.
According to a report from L’Équipe, Liverpool remains in contention for Mbappé’s signature, and the star could absolutely sign there if an acceptable bid is made. But, the English side would probably need to make some tough decisions for that to happen.
Club icon Mohamed Salah has been relentlessly pursued by Saudi clubs, and his sale would almost certainly be necessary to get the required funds. Plus, Mbappé’s reported 35 million Euro asking salary would be a steep price for a side whose highest-paid player is about half that.
Everything’s Up in the Air
Despite rumors flying left and right, we still don’t have a clear picture of Mbappé’s future post-PSG. But, in all likelihood, the 2023 Ballon d’Or finalist will end up at either Real Madrid or Liverpool.
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