30 July 2023 , 17:02
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Chelsea have become the latest club to enter talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a stunning swoop for Kylian Mbappe.
PSG are looking to offload Mbappe this summer after he refused to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes. Mbappe's current deal is due to expire next summer and he has decided not to take up an option which would have extended it by a further year.
And PSG are determined not to lose him for free amid fears he has already agreed to join long-term admirers Real Madrid, with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi stating: "We don't want to lose the best player in the world for free, we can't do that.
"This is a French club. He said he would never leave for free. If he changes his mind today, it's not my fault. We don't want to lose the best player in the world for free, that's very clear."
Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal had a world-record transfer bid accepted by PSG, but Mbappe refused to open talks with them. Mirror Football exclusively revealed on Sunday that Liverpool are now in talks with PSG over signing Mbappe on loan.
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The deal would see PSG bank some cash for Mbappe and also allow him to join Real on a free next summer. However, the Daily Record is now reporting that Chelsea are in negotiations over a permanent transfer.
The report states they are in talks with PSG about a player-plus-cash deal for Mbappe, with Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly holding direct discussions with Al-Khelaifi about the move.
PSG are looking to offload Mbappe amid concerns he has already agreed to join Real Madrid for free next summer (PSG via Getty Images)Mirror Football is now on Threads!
New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino previously worked with the forward at PSG and he has previously addressed rumours linking the Blues with Mbappe. "I need to be conscious, I cannot talk because everything that you talk about is too much noise," Pochettino said.
"It is a very delicate situation and it is a situation they need to fix in Paris with Kylian, Kylian with PSG. But from our side, nothing to say. We are working in our reality, their reality is different - and they for sure have another reality.
"And from my side, nothing to say - only to support them and hope they find the best solution for both sides." Chelsea did struggle to score goals last season and they are still missing a prolific forward, despite spending big on the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.