90 Minutes rounds up the latest Kylian Mbappe transfer news, rumors and rumors circulating around the world ahead of his move to Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe has yet to officially decide on his future, but given all the noise and speculation, not joining Real Madrid this summer seems inconceivable.
Mbappe has already made a U-turn once in Madrid, turning his back on a move to the Spanish capital to instead sign a new three-year contract with PSG in 2022. But his desire to play for what is probably the biggest club in world football is very well known.
Madrid president Florentino Perez has been actively involved in negotiations to reach an agreement, although an agreement is unlikely to be publicly announced before the end of the domestic season. Both PSG and Real Madrid are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and speaking openly about his future would only be a distraction.
That means a decision is expected to be communicated in early June, before Euro 2024 but after the Champions League final on June 1st.
Madrid’s base offer to Mbappe is significantly lower than PSG’s and offers him similar terms to those in 2022. On the table is an annual salary of no more than €30 million, in addition to a proposed contract bonus of €130 million.
If Mbappe were to stay in Paris, he would earn around 70 million euros gross per year and would also be suspected of receiving the 80 million euro loyalty bonus that was waived last summer after legally binding guarantees were given in connection with a move to Madrid were free.
Mbappe has dreamed of playing for Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu since he was a child, but until now he just didn’t feel ready for the move.
PSG has been Mbappe’s home since 2017 after he arrived from Monaco in what was then a world record transfer worth €180 million, and he has won everything you can think of in France except one competition – the Champions League.
Already the club’s record goalscorer, Mbappe has nothing left to prove in France and many believe he can only be considered one of the best of all time if he plays in a more demanding league. PSG have won the title in six of the seven seasons Mbappe has played for the club, with his performance level and goal tally suggesting he is simply too good for Ligue 1.
PSG has the financial strength to compete with the best in the world, but their brand is still inadequate compared to Madrid’s standing in the game – they are arguably the most respected club in the world and have hosted many of the greatest football players of all time.