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Kylian Mbappe is poised to hold crunch talks with Paris Saint-Germain after Real Madrid contacted his camp to express transfer interest, according to reports.
The France international was outstanding at the World Cup in Qatar, scoring eight goals from seven matches – including a hat-trick in the final against Argentina. With Lionel Messi poised to remain at the Parc des Princes, however, it’s now possible the 24-year-old will be on the move.
Mbappe signed a new PSG contract earlier in the year, turning down a move to Real Madrid in the process having previously looked set for a move to the Bernabeu.
Yet, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the France international now wants to leave.
Before the World Cup, much had been said and written about Mbappe wanting to leave the Parc des Princes behind – with the 24-year-old apparently believing the Ligue 1 champions have broken a number of promises made to him back in the summer.
It’s claimed Mbappe will now hold fresh talks with PSG to discuss his future, at a time where Messi is poised to renew his own contract at the club.
Real Madrid have supposedly been in touch, with the La Liga giants ‘concerned’ about Karim Benzema as the striker enters the twilight years of his career.
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Real are willing to break the bank for Mbappe and are ready to pay him a huge salary of £550million over the next four years, having performed a ‘study’ behind the scenes.
The reigning Champions League winners believe Benzema is on the wane and Florentino Perez reportedly thinks his compatriot is the ‘only’ player capable of replacing him.
Mbappe, for his part, is poised to tell PSG his renewal earlier in the year was a mistake and he still wants to go.
The club’s Qatari owners have previously been unwilling to let him go, especially prior to the World Cup that was held within his own country.
However, now that competition is out of the way, it’s possible they’ll agree to a parting of the ways.
Mbappe has returned to PSG training already as he looks to put the heartache of the World Cup final defeat to Argentina behind him.
And it’ll certainly be interesting to see how he reacts to Messi given how Argentina players have been mocking him in the short time since France’s agonising defeat.
Emiliano Martinez halted celebrations in the dressing room to ask for a ‘minute’s silence’ at the expense of the PSG star.
Messi himself was seen holding a doll of Mbappe as Argentina celebrated their triumph in Buenos Aires, attracting criticism in the process.
And Martinez was also seen with the same object, with the Aston Villa star accused of disrespecting Mbappe by fans online.
Meanwhile, Brazil legend Ronaldo has hailed Mbappe for his performances in the Middle East – insisting he’s the fastest, and best, striker on the planet.
“Kylian Mbappe, of course. He played an excellent World Cup from the first game to the final,” he stated.
“Even when he didn’t score, whether against England in the quarter-finals or Morocco in the semi-finals, he was decisive every time, with clever assists.
“In the final he was fantastic with four goals (including the penalty shootout).
“Technically, he’s fantastic, he’s almost unstoppable and he could have been named the best player in the World Cup, as he deserves so much.
“Many forwards in this World Cup have been quick, but he is by far the fastest.”
And Ronaldo also said: “In fact, when I watch him play, he reminds me of my best moments.
“He knows exactly how to exploit open spaces, how to be unpredictable on and off the ball, and how best to get out of one-on-one situations. He’s impressive.”
Mbappe is expected to feature when PSG lock horns with Strasbourg on December 28 (8pm).
The Ligue 1 giants are yet to lose in the league so far this term, winning 13 of their 15 matches and scoring 43 goals along the way.
