Real Madrid are ready to bid for Kylian Mbappe this summer rather than waiting to sign him as a free agent when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires next season, sources have told ESPN.
Mbappe’s future is uncertain once again after L’Equipe reported on Monday that the forward had written to PSG to inform them that he would not be exercising his option to extend his deal by another year, meaning his contract would be up in June 2024.
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Sources have told ESPN that PSG would be willing to listen to offers of around €150 million ($161.5m) for Mbappe this summer, to avoid losing him for free a year later.
Mbappe released a statement via AFP on Tuesday which read: “The board has been informed since July 15, 2022 of my decision not to extend beyond 2024, and the letter sent was only meant to confirm what I already told them.”
Madrid are now on alert, sources said, as they look for a centre-forward to replace Karim Benzema, who joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad last week.
ESPN has reported that Madrid view Tottenham‘s Harry Kane as the best available option to act as Benzema’s successor, but there are doubts within the club about paying a high transfer fee for a player who turns 30 next month.
Madrid’s original plan this summer was to sign a back-up for Benzema — such as Espanyol‘s Joselu — before pushing for Mbappe or Erling Haaland in 2024.
The LaLiga club have already brought in left-back Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano and playmaker Brahim Diaz — returning from a three-year loan at AC Milan — and agreed a deal worth €103m ($111m) plus variables with Borussia Dortmund for midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Sources told ESPN that it’s still too early to know what will happen with Mbappe, but Madrid are ready to move for him if PSG are willing to seriously consider a deal.
Madrid suspect that PSG would do whatever they can to see Mbappe join another club rather than them, and any negotiations between the parties would not be easy.
Mbappe has been a long-term target for Madrid and president Florentino Perez.
The France international was widely expected to move to Spain on a free transfer last summer — after Madrid failed with several bids worth up to €200m ($216m) in 2021 — before a U-turn saw Mbappe choose to renew with PSG until 2024, with the option of a further year.
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The forward has now made it clear that he will not take up that option.
Mbappe has said that he wants to stay in Paris next season, but sources close to the PSG dressing room have told ESPN that six weeks ago, the player told teammates he wasn’t ruling out leaving this summer either.
PSG’s season has been a disappointment despite winning Ligue 1, after they were eliminated from the Champions League round-of-16 stage by Bayern Munich.
Mbappe finished sixth in the 2022 Ballon d’Or rankings, well behind winner Benzema.
PSG have also seen Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos confirm their departures, while the club’s search for a new coach to replace Christophe Galtier continues.
Madrid have been paying close attention to Mbappe’s situation and are now waiting to see if they have a genuine opportunity to land the player this summer.