08 January 2024 , 13:24
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Kylian Mbappe is tipped to snub Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, to complete a "dream" move to Real Madrid.
Mbappe, 25, is out of contract in June and has several options on the table. PSG will try to persuade him to sign a new deal at the 11th hour - just like they did in May 2022 - while the likes of Liverpool will offer him the chance to play in the Premier League.
Yet Madrid are in pole position to finally lure the World Cup winner to the Spanish capital. Reports in France claim that Mbappe has agreed to join the 14-time European champions on a free transfer, with the player sacrificing a £69million loyalty bonus at PSG.
But according to the Daily Mail, Madrid haven't got their man just yet. It's claimed Mbappe's salary is a sticking point, as he currently earns €25m per year net (£21.5m). Madrid's current best-paid players are currently earning around €10m per year net (£8.6m).
The Spanish giants will not match Mbappe's Parisian wages and are trying to find a way to sweeten the deal. As there will be no transfer fee, they could offer him a signing-on bonus worth up to €100m (£86m). A clause for winning the Ballon d'Or could also be included.
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An official announcement on Mbappe's future - whatever decision he makes - could take some time yet. But signing the France international will be a huge coup for Madrid, as he rejected them in May 2022 to spend another two years at the Parc des Princes. Having said that, there is still a chance he could still join Liverpool.
Kylian Mbappe is wanted by Real Madrid (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)However, speaking shortly after Mbappe put pen to paper at PSG, Madrid president Florentino Perez insisted it was the player's "dream" to join his club and seemed confident a deal would eventually be agreed. "Mbappe did not betray me," Perez told El Chiringuito.
"Mbappe told us his dream was to play for Real Madrid, many and many times. But then all changed in 15 days because of political and economical pressure."
Perez believes French president Emmanuel Macron, who consoled Mbappe after France's defeat to Argentina at the World Cup final in Qatar, influenced the player's decision. He also thinks Qatar, who own PSG, offered Mbappe an offer he couldn't refuse.
Perez added: "His dream had to change. Macron called Mbappe, it makes no sense. PSG offered him to be the leader of the project, it changed everything. I didn't see the same Kylian Mbappe that we wanted. Here, no one is bigger than Real Madrid. It won't change.
"It was not easy for Mbappe to receive calls from the president of France... to tell you not to leave the club. Then go to Qatar and they offer things that drive you crazy, probably things out of proportion. This is why Kylian has changed.
Florentino Perez would love to bring Mbappe to Madrid (Getty Images)Who do you think Kylian Mbappe should join? Let us know in the comments below!
"I think Kylian Mbappe's mom wanted him to join Real Madrid, she knows it has always been Kylian's dream. I'm sure she wanted Mbappe to join us, but things change and we have to respect. I still respect Kylian, absolutely."
Mbappe has previously denied rumours of Macron's involvement in his career. He said last June: "What influence does the President have? On my career today, in 2023, none. He wants me to stay in Paris, my objective is to stay. We're on the same wavelength."
Yet Mbappe was referring to this season when he said his "objective is to stay in Paris". As he recently told reporters: "I haven't made my decision, I haven't made a choice.
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"But with the agreement I made with the president this summer, whatever my decision, we managed to protect all parties and preserve the serenity of the club for the challenges to come, which remains the most important. If I know what I’m going to do, it won’t take long."