Real Madrid’s drawn-out pursuit of Kylian Mbappe has taken another surprising turn, as it has now emerged that Los Blancos are willing to spend big money on the forward this summer.
The Frenchman is currently in a contract stand-off with Paris Saint-Germain, who are insisting that the striker either leaves now or signs a contract extension.
Mbappe had reportedly agreed a deal with Real Madrid to join for free next summer, but it now seems that the World Cup winner could move in this transfer window.
Real are still unwilling to pay Mbappe’s reported €90m loyalty bonus he stands to collect if he stays for one more year, but a report from AS has claimed that they are ready to pay the astonishing €200m fee required to land him now if he is forced to leave Paris this summer.
This is somewhat surprising, given that the initial plan was to sign him for free next year, but it does hint that Real would be prepared to pay a premium if they are to sign him this summer.
Why are Real Madrid targeting Mbappe?
Whether they can land him now or next summer, it is clear why the 24-year-old has been Florentino Perez’s dream for years.
Mbappe is one of the highest-profile names in the world, and when he initially broke through as a teenager, he quickly became seen as the successor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best player.
An attacking trio with Mbappe alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, with young stars Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham in midfield, can be Real Madrid’s starting team for the best part of 10 years.
Ex-manager Zinedine Zidane has previously admitted that he would love to manage the striker, and with Carlo Ancelotti leaving the club next summer, there is a chance that the former midfielder could return for a third stint in charge.
Mbappe has been described as “world-class” by his national team manager Didier Deschamps, and he could end up being the biggest ‘Galactico’ signing in years if Real Madrid can pull off a deal.
The PSG star is the most obvious candidate to replace Karim Benzema upfront, and losing out on him for a second time, after a failed pursuit last year, is not something Real wants to risk.