Should Real Madrid go all-in for Kylian Mbappe?

Real Madrid have placed Kylian Mbappe at the top of their wishlist in the 2021 summer transfer period when he will be available, but how far should they go to acquire the superstar?

If there is one glaring need in the Real Madrid starting XI, then it is for a striker who can score more than 30 goals in a campaign. Los Blancos have an excellent No. 9 in Karim Benzema, but he is more of the well-rounded type, deriving as much pleasure from assisting as scoring. Benzema can score goals in bunches at his best, but, as last season showed, he can be prone to slumps in front of goal.

Kylian Mbappe, on the other hand, is a goal-scoring machine and is arguably the world’s most prolific scorer. At least, he’ll be at that level at Real Madrid, because he’d be the clear focal point in the attack with world-class passers like Toni Kroos and even Martin Odegaard feeding him the ball.

Los Blancos have long identified Mbappe as their dream target, and the fans continue to hope the France international will hold off PSG’s advances to sign him to a lucrative extension. There’s belief among Madridistas that Mbappe sees his future at the Santiago Bernabeu, threatening the record books as a scorer under manager Zinedine Zidane.

But signing Mbappe won’t be easy. PSG will do everything they can to avoid losing Mbappe this summer, so he’s essentially not for sale. But if Mbappe resists signing a new contract by the time 2021 rolls around, there’s a good chance Real Madrid can swoop in and sign the star. Whether the price will drop by then remains to be seen, but if Mbappe only has one year under his contract and wants to leave, PSG may have no choice.

However, we’ve seen PSG play hardball before. They did so last summer when FC Barcelona attempted to sign Neymar, with Real Madrid even kicking the tires on the Brazilian superstar in order to frustrate their bitter rivals.

Los Merengues must think about the possibility of PSG playing hardball with them, even if the odds seem against the Ligue 1 giants and even if the two powerhouse clubs enjoy a much stronger relationship.

Mbappe won’t come cheap. When there’s discussion of his price “falling” in 2021, it’s really from “shattering the 222 million euro transfer record set by Neymar” to “150 to 200 million euros”. Because if Neymar went for 222 million, you had better believe PSG will aim for at least that much for Mbappe, regardless of how “realistic” it seems. If they know Real Madrid are desperate, they will push.

We’ve seen rumors suggesting PSG will ask for a young superstar from Los Blancos in return in order to replace the star power lost by Mbappe, especially since the forward would still be under 23. Vinicius Junior was suggested, but would Real listen to any attempts to include the Brazilian teenager in a deal? Los Blancos are incredibly high on Vini and know he has Ballon d’Or potential.

PSG will see just how desperate Los Blancos are for Mbappe. There’s a temptation to say that it’s “Mbappe or bust”, given that he is by far the most valuable player in the world and the absolute best fit for Los Blancos as a young, hungry, dynamic, goal-scoring wide forward. But when you go “all-in” for a transfer target, you have to be careful of just how much the other side will demand.