Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has dropped a fresh hint that Kylian Mbappe may have to join Real Madrid this summer, as the standoff between the player and his club continues.
The World Cup winner is refusing to sign a new contract, and with one year remaining on his deal, it seems that he is eyeing up a free transfer to Real Madrid next year.
However, PSG are taking a firm stance that they are unwilling to lose him for free, and may try to push the 24-year-old to depart this summer if he is not willing to extend his contract.
Real Madrid have been hot on Mbappe’s trail for years, and the departure of Karim Benzema may speed up their need to sign the forward, but it is currently unclear how much they would be willing to pay for the Frenchman this summer.
“We do not want him to leave for free in 2024”. “Our position is clear. If Kylian wants to stay, we want him to stay. But he needs to sign a new contract”. “We don’t want to lose the best player in the world for free, it’s impossible,” Al-Khelaifi stated.
Should Real Madrid sign Mbappe now?
Although he would serve as a direct replacement for Benzema, Real’s plan was to sign Mbappe for free next summer.
Given the potential finances involved in a deal this summer, it seems highly unlikely that Real will be willing, or able, to spend a large fee on the striker.
Mbappe reportedly has a significant loyalty bonus in his deal, which he stands to collect if he waits until next year to depart PSG, and patience may prove key for Florentino Perez here.
It seems unlikely that there will be any movement before the end of the window as the contract stalemate continues, but given his desire to join Real Madrid, there should be no hurry to overpay for him now unless a risk of losing him to another club appears.