As Kylian Mbappé’s contract inches closer to expiration in June, the Real Madrid closely monitors the player’s situation. However, they are not the only ones in the race !
Starting this Monday, January 1st, Kylian Mbappé is free to commit to a club other than Paris Saint-Germain, with the prospect of playing from the summer of 2024. This development sets the stage for a new saga, filled with speculations and coveted deals.
In the previous summer, the French international had explicitly stated his intention not to extend his contract with PSG, valid until June 2024. However, after a standoff with the club that led to Mbappé being sidelined, the situation has evolved, and a strong relationship has developed between PSG’s leader, Nasser al-Khelaïfi, and the captain of the French national team.
Concessions have reportedly been made by the player, including relinquishing a portion of his significant loyalty bonuses. With 16 goals in all competitions since the start of the season, Mbappé has solidified his dominant position within the Parisian team.
Mbappé’s Departure Still at the Forefront !
Despite this, the club’s leadership has taken the time to consider the possibility of a life without their number 7, unwilling to substantially increase his already colossal annual salary of €72 million, not counting the signing bonus. They believe that Mbappé’s release would open up investment opportunities.
While the option to retain a superstar after Messi and Neymar’s departures is favored, PSG is banking on a new project focused less on “bling bling” and more on building a well-oiled collective, symbolized by coach Luis Enrique. This change in perspective could convince Mbappé, who places importance on his sporting progression beyond mere statistics.
The anticipated return of explosive left-back Nuno Mendes at the end of January, along with the arrivals of his French teammates Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembélé, has contributed to fostering a positive atmosphere within the team and bringing a smile back to Mbappé’s face.
In terms of behavior, the forward has oscillated between positive and negative. After difficulties in the Champions League group stage, almost facing elimination, PSG qualified for the round of 16 with a draw against Real Sociedad, perceived as a relatively favorable draw. This contrasts with previous eliminations against European giants at this stage, results that could have discouraged the French player.
However, the question arises : could the captain of the French national team be tempted by other destinations if he ultimately decides to leave PSG? According to journalist Jonathan Johnson, Arsenal and Liverpool could capture his interest.
Mbappé’s Departure Nearly Confirmed?
Jonathan Johnson emphasizes this possibility: “Currently, Arsenal presents an attractive project, and I believe that if an offer comes in and Real Madrid steps back, Mbappé would seriously consider it. Liverpool’s interest is more longstanding and serious, but at the same time, Liverpool is going through a transitional phase, so neither of the two clubs seems an obvious destination for Mbappé right now. Only Real Madrid truly fits”, he stated to Caught Offside.
“Do not completely rule out Arsenal, and the same goes for Liverpool, but I think these teams are trailing behind Real Madrid. Currently, Mbappé has not decided whether he wants to leave PSG. Things can change significantly in the weeks and months ahead, but the key is to see how Real Madrid approaches this operation. Let’s see how they lead their offensive and whether Liverpool and Arsenal could become more serious destinations for Mbappé”, added Jonathan Johnson.
Chilled by the May 2022 incident, during which the French forward turned down their offer to extend with Paris, Madrid’s decision-makers aim to receive a much quicker response this time. According to information from The Athletic, they are contemplating presenting an offer to Mbappé as early as the beginning of January. However, the athlete would then be compelled to provide them with a response without undue delay.
The English media specifies that the Merengue are considering imposing an ultimatum on the 25-year-old player, as his response is expected by mid-January. In the event of a negative response, the club led by Florentino Pérez will have ample time to explore other alternatives. Conversely, in the case of a positive response, they can already contemplate the future with satisfaction.
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