Kylian Mbappe’s future has become the talk of the football world this summer. The French striker has been subject to a stunning £259m bid from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, setting a new world record.
Mbappe, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has been a prolific goalscorer since joining the club in 2017. However, despite domestic success, PSG has struggled to secure the highly coveted Champions League trophy.
The striker’s contract with PSG is set to expire in June 2024, but he has expressed his desire not to extend it. This has caused tensions between Mbappe and the club, with PSG leaving him out of their pre-season tour to Japan.
PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has taken a tough stance, stating that Mbappe may not be selected for an entire year if he refuses to break the deadlock. In a surprising turn of events, PSG has granted permission to Al-Hilal, one of four clubs owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, to negotiate with Mbappe.
French football journalist Lisa Leroux believes that the £259m offer shows Mbappe’s stature as a once in a generation player. However, she also believes that for Mbappe, it’s not just about the money. A salary of this magnitude would be historic and unprecedented in the world of sports.
According to French football expert Julien Laurens, Mbappe has no intention of moving to Saudi Arabia. He has his sights set on winning every possible trophy and believes that the Saudi Pro League does not offer that opportunity at this stage of his career.
Real Madrid has long been interested in securing the services of Mbappe. Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan, and Barcelona have also expressed their interest in signing him. PSG is open to the idea of loaning Mbappe this summer, allowing him to join Real Madrid for free in 12 months’ time.
While many clubs are eager to sign Mbappe, the financial implications of his wages pose a challenge. Barcelona, for example, cannot afford his transfer fee or wages and have offered a player swap deal instead.
The Saudi Pro League, unlike European football, does not have financial fair play regulations. This means that clubs in Saudi Arabia can spend without restrictions imposed by financial rules.
As the negotiations unfold, Real Madrid appears to be the front-runner due to their long-standing pursuit of Mbappe. Laurens suggests that Real Madrid should make a move this summer instead of waiting for him to become a free agent in a year’s time. By signing him now, Real Madrid can significantly strengthen their team, and they have the financial capacity to make the deal happen.
It remains to be seen whether the negotiations between PSG and Al-Hilal will result in Mbappe’s departure. Clubs across Europe are closely monitoring the situation, with hopes of convincing both PSG and the talented striker to join their ranks.
As the saga continues, all eyes will be on Mbappe’s next move. Will he chase his dream of winning the Champions League with a new club, or will he stay put and take on the challenge at PSG? Only time will tell where this extraordinary talent ends up, but one thing is certain: the future of Kylian Mbappe remains the hottest topic of the summer transfer window.
