Could Real Madrid get Mbappe for free in 2022?
Kylian Mbappe is Real Madrid’s clear top target over the next two summer transfer windows, but PSG are doing everything they can to keep their superstar player.
PSG have resisted all transfer attempts for Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, because those two global superstars are the centerpiece players in the club’s plan to bring the Champions League title to Ligue 1. Real Madrid showed minor interest in Neymar last summer to mess with Barcelona’s plans, but their top target is clearly Kylian Mbappe.
Since Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona for a record-breaking 222 million euros, it stands to reason that Mbappe’s value is worth considerably more than that. Mbappe is already one of the world’s best players and most devastating goal-scorers, and he has only scratched the surface at the age of 21.
Therefore, the 300 million euro figure was a reasonable price for Mbappe, given his accomplishment and upside. But with a pandemic, no team will be able to pay that much, decreasing the likelihood of the player joining Real Madrid in 2020. And that was assuming PSG would even allow him to be sold at all this year.
Los Blancos have been targeting 2021 as the year to make a swoop for Mbappe, since PSG would presumably be forced to sell and end their desperate attempts to get the young star to sign a lucrative contract renewal. In 2021, Mbappe would have one year left on his contract, giving Real a chance to sign him for an achievable fee.
However, Sergio Santos Chozas of AS reports that PSG’s Director of Sport, Leonardo, would prefer to have Mbappe walk away for free in 2022 than to sell him at any price in 2021.
PSG have taken a strong-arm approach with transfers in the past. Adrien Rabiot left on a free, Edinson Cavani will leave on a free when the club had the opportunity to sell him to striker-desperate Atletico Madrid this winter, and they did not accept any offers for Neymar last year.
Next. Real Madrid already have their Gareth Bale replacement. dark
Missing out on well over 150 million euros just to make a statement with not selling Mbappe or giving up on his renewal would be unprecedented for PSG, so they are likely bluffing.
But if Real Madrid are patient, signing Mbappe, who will likely be the best player in the world by then, for free is indeed quite an opportunity.