Real Madrid will be hoping for a favour from arch-rivals Barcelona in their attempts to land top target Kylian Mbappe in the next summer window.
According to a report from Spanish publication AS, Real Madrid’s chances of signing long-term transfer target Kylian Mbappe in the summer could hinge on bitter rivals Barcelona.
Mbappe, since bursting onto the scenes at AS Monaco back in 2015, has grown into one of the best attackers in Europe. Having helped the Principality outfit to the Ligue 1 title, the 21-year-old left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, initially on loan before making the move permanent a year later.
Since joining Les Parisiens, Mbappe has scored 103 goals and set up 59 more in 140 appearances. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has 13 goals and 8 assists in 16 games across all competitions this term, leading PSG’s title charge from the front once again.
The 21-year-old has been on the radars of Real Madrid for quite some time now and it has been reported that the Merengues would move for him in the summer of 2021. And now, it is being claimed that arch-rivals Barcelona may have a huge say in Real Madrid’s chances of signing Mbappe next year.
Mbappe’s current contract with PSG expires in 2022, meaning he would be entering the final year of his deal at the end of the ongoing season. Talks over a new deal have been in the works, with the French champions’ director, Leonardo, recently claiming that negotiations will take place soon.
However, as per the report, Mbappe will put talks on hold until PSG’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 contest against Barcelona. Should Les Parisiens, who made it to the finals of the tournament last time out, fail to get past the knockout phases and go all the way this season, the 21-year-old will decide against penning a new contract.
That would significantly bolster the chances of Real Madrid signing him up. Los Blancos endured a quiet summer window this year due to the effects of the coronavirus on finances and the ongoing renovations of the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, given the lack of a consistent top quality goalscorer apart from Karim Benzema, a move for Mbappe is a necessary one for Zinedine Zidane & co. More so, considering that Benzema will be turning 33 this month. With Madrid’s last marquee signing, Eden Hazard, not making the desired impact, there have been talks of the club using him as part of a swap deal to bring Mbappe.
It remains to be seen whether PSG can extend the Frenchman’s contract or if Real Madrid end up signing him next year. And it seems that a lot will be riding on the French outfit’s Champions League clash against Barcelona in February 2021.
