PSG are reportedly set to win the battle over Kylian Mbappe’s future with Real Madrid unable to pay the mega fee for the Frenchman.
The future of Kylian Mbappe looks a lot clearer this morning after reports emerged that Real Madrid, his primary suitor, would be unable to afford the Frenchman in the upcoming window.
All clubs around the world have been hit by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The lack of supporters in grounds has affected the clubs financially and has led to a reduction in transfer fees.
Yet, whilst the fees for players seems to be decreasing the value of some talents, this has not been the case for all such as PSG’s Mbappe. Purchased from Monaco, PSG paid a significant fee for the 22-year old and will not want to lose him for much less than the €180 million they invested in the forward.
Real Madrid will be looking to replace the ageing Karim Benzema. Mbappe’s compatriot has been a leading figure for Los Blancos since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but now at 33 years of age, Benzema’s output is destined to diminish and Florentino Perez will be all too aware of the need for a replacement.
With the primary concern of PSG seemingly out of the way, it has opened the door to Mbappe renewing his contract with the club and the Frenchman has even spoken recently of the optimism about a long-term stay in the French capital.
"We’re in talks with the club to find a project. I’m thinking about it because I think, if I renew, it’ll be for a long time," Mbappe said. "I’m very happy here, I always have been happy here. The fans, the club… they’ve always helped me. That’s why I’ll always be grateful to the club."
"But I want to think about what I want to do in the coming years, where I want to be. We’ll have to make a decision soon, but I’m just thinking about it now. If I had an answer today, I’d have said it today."
"But it’s not a question of saving time, it’s simply about reflection. I don’t want to sign a contract and say I want to leave a year later because I didn’t want to sign the contract. No. If I sign, it’s to stay. And that warrants reflection."
PSG are the current leaders of an atypical Ligue 1 season. This year, it is not the runaway train for the Parisians. Both Lille and Lyon are in hot pursuit for the championship. The former is joint on points with PSG with 45, whilst Lyon are just two points behind themselves having all played 21 games.