Manchester City and Real Madrid are reportedly set to go head-to-head in a £110 million summer battle for Kylian Mbappe.
According to a report in The Sun, Kylian Mbappe will command a world record fee of £110 million, with Manchester City and Arsenal set to be locked in the race to sign the AS Monaco wonderkid. Manchester United and PSG are also closely following the teenage sensation.
In only his second senior campaign, Mbappe has emerged as arguably the most exciting young player in world football. Still all of 18, he has already become one of the most important players at Monaco, having played a key role in the principality club’s sensational Champions League campaign as well as their bid to win Ligue 1.
Hailed as the “next Thierry Henry” in his native France, Mbappe has some astonishing numbers to boast of this season. The teenager has notched up 39 appearances across all competitions, finding the back of the net an incredible 24 times, while also providing 11 assists.
So, Mbappe has made a direct contribution to a goal every 64 minutes – a stunning number for any player, let alone someone who is only in the early stages of his career. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the who’s who in the football world are keen to land him in the summer.
In fact, Arsenal, Tottenham, Barcelona and Inter Milan have all been linked with Mbappe in recent months, and now Manchester United, PSG, Manchester City and Real Madrid are believed to be the front-runners in the race to sign him.
Real Madrid and Manchester City, in particular, are the leading outfits in Mbappe’s pursuit, with the two being the only clubs that have officially registered an interest in signing him.
At Real Madrid, both Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata are being linked with summer departures from the Santiago Bernabeu. While a significant downturn in form has been attributed as the reason for the Frenchman’s impending ouster, Morata is eager to leave to play regular first team football elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Manchester City boss has the services of the explosive and consistent Sergio Aguero, as well as the promising Gabriel Jesus. But, with Pep Guardiola keen to add more firepower to his squad in the summer, he has identified Mbappe – a player who was so successful against City in their Champions League meeting – as a top target.
The report suggests that Mbappe is likely to command a transfer fee of around £110 million, that will easily eclipse the £89 million that Manchester United paid to sign Paul Pogba last summer.
Meanwhile, Manchester United and PSG are also keeping a close eye on the matters, and the duo could spring into action in chase for Mbappe as well. It will also be interesting to see if Monaco let go of Mbappe easily in the summer, with vice-president Vadim Vasiley previously insisting that the club won’t sell the teenager.
Mbappe, too, has remained adamant that he wants to continue progressing with Monaco, and it remains to be seen if any of his suitors can manage to tempt the 18-year-old into making a move in the summer.
