The latest on Kylian Mbappé's move to Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, if not the best. In that sense, it is no surprise that Real Madrid, the most successful club in the history of European football, wants to bring the French star to the Spanish capital. However, Mbappé still has unfinished business with his current club, Paris Saint-Germain.
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Mbappé also seems to be looking for a transfer. The 2018 world champion has a contract until the end of next season, but no longer wants to stay in Paris.
Mbappé made this clear in a letter to PSG, in which he announced his decision not to renew his contract and to activate the one-year extension option in his agreement.
The news came as a huge shock to PSG, which now faces a difficult situation and has two options.
The first option is to convince Mbappé to stay longer in Paris and extend his current deal with the club, which seems rather difficult considering the player's past statements about his future.
The second option is to sell Mbappé this summer, which would prevent the player from leaving Paris for free, which would be a huge financial blow for PSG.
According to renowned German football database website 'Transfermarkt', Mbappé has a current market value of no less than €180 million, an astronomical sum that PSG could use to strengthen their current squad.
PSG and its president Nasser Al-Khelaifi are reportedly furious and feel betrayed by Mbappé, who has always said he would never leave Paris for free. According to French sports newspaper 'L'Équipe', the French giant has sent its own letter to Mbappé, giving the player a deadline until 31 July to make a decision on his future.
Mbappé has two options: either PSG sell him this summer, or he has to sign a new deal in Paris. Meanwhile, Real Madrid sits on the sidelines and watches the two parties fight with each other.
Real Madrid has long been circling Mbappé and Los Merengues had high hopes of bringing the star to Madrid in 2022, but Mbappé surprised the football world by signing an extension in Paris and not coming to Madrid. However, the tables now seem to have turned, with Real Madrid in a strong position to negotiate.
Another weapon for Real Madrid is president Florentino Perez, who is a master negotiator and has closed numerous big deals in the past.
Perez will surely use the tension between PSG and Mbappé to Real Madrid's advantage and try to pay as little as possible to force a move.
Another big advantage for Real Madrid is that Mbappé seems to love the club and thinks Los Merengues can help him achieve another goal: winning the Ballon d'Or.
"If I thought about the Ballon d'Or while deciding my future? Yes, of course. Real Madrid is a Ballon d'Or machine, you have to admit it. There is real know-how. But the clubs don't give you these awards", he said in an interview with 'France Football'.
The question now is what will happen next in Mbappé's career. Will he stay in Paris or move to Real Madrid, a move everyone expects? The near future will tell.