Real Madrid will reportedly face stiff competition from Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Liverpool for priority target Kylian Mbappe.
According to a report by Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Le10Sport, Kylian Mbappe is becoming a popular figure in the market. The Frenchman’s impending free-agent status has alerted Chelsea and Liverpool. Meanwhile, the Paris Saint-Germain talisman is the priority target for Real Madrid for the 2024 summer transfer window.
Kylian Mbappe is arguably the best player in the world after his exploits in the last few years. While Lionel Messi has conquered the global stage and will likely win the Ballon d’Or, his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate has been sensational for a long time. A graduate of AS Monaco’s youth division, he has been with PSG since August 2017.
But Mbappe’s PSG stint has not been without controversy, with the latest coming this past summer. The French international revealed in June that he would not sign a new contract with Les Parisiens and depart as a free agent in the 2024 summer transfer window. That rubbed PSG the wrong way, and they banished him from their pre-season tour.
The crux of the issue was a hefty loyalty bonus that PSG did not want to pay. Eventually, the two parties sorted it out, with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner foregoing the loyalty bonus. The player has returned to start the season with a tally of eight goals in nine appearances. But he has yet to sign a new contract, with the situation alerting Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
Mbappe’s name has been on the top of Real Madrid’s wishlist for a long time. And despite failing to sign him on previous occasions, the Merengues remain keen and will prioritise a Bosman move in the 2024 summer transfer window. But Chelsea and Liverpool are providing stiff competition to Real Madrid for the Frenchman.
Like Real Madrid, Liverpool’s interest in the French international dates back a few years. And amid uncertainties surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future, the Reds must sign a successor. As for Chelsea, the Blues need a prolific goalscorer after struggling to consistently find the back of the net in the last two seasons. Mbappe is thus a viable target for both Premier League clubs.
But recent reports have claimed that the Frenchman has his heart set on joining Real Madrid. So, Chelsea and Liverpool face a tall order convincing him to snub Los Blancos and move to England. Meanwhile, PSG will try to tie him to a new contract, thus setting up an intriguing battle for his signature.