It’s the saga that has continually dragged on for the better part of the last three years. The continuing questions, will he or will he not? Can the club do it? Would PSG let him go? However, amongst all the smoke and mirrors, it seems now there is a sense of clarity, an aroma of positivity within the ever-burning rumor mill of Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid.
Mbappé’s meteoric rise from young Monaco upstart to full-fledged world superstar has been a steep incline.
His ascent to the top has been largely uninterrupted, although, he seems to have finally hit something of an obstacle in his young career.
The young attacker has been the centre of attention in the French media for the better part of the last year. However, it seems his crown as the prince of Paris has taken something of a slip in the eyes of the media.
He reportedly fell out with Neymar last year, there was unrest regarding his standing in comparison to the Brazilian. He had a fallout with Thomas Tuchel, amidst dissatisfaction of being substituted during games – whilst these appeared to simply be rumors, there seemed to be a common consensus of disgruntlement – a growing trouble in paradise.
Through the lead-up to the European Championships, French media seemed to be frustrated, with former players like Jerome Rothen criticizing him for his ego.
As the clock ticks on his current PSG deal, which expires next summer, questions over his future have never been more rampant. It seems to be no secret that there has long been talks about extending his deal, however, Kylian has seemingly rejected every offer put on the table.
With the months passing by, how much longer will PSG continue to attempt their persuasive efforts before throwing the towel in? Will it even be a case of that? Could PSG just accept an offer for the player this summer? It seems the power has shifted from the French club’s clutches.
In the years prior, it was immediately apparent PSG had no need to sell. Their project is growing, they are a steady force in the Champions League’s latter rounds and Mbappé still had plenty of time on his deal, with no real need to depart.
However with all those factors in mind, it is now Mbappé who holds the ball in his court. PSG are backed into a corner. If they cannot convince him to sign a renewal, they must either cash in or watch him walk freely next season.
The Parisians invested €180 million for Mbappé after signing him permanently in 2018. With such a large sum, it seems impossible to fathom the idea of them allowing him to leave with no financial remuneration to show for it.
All of this has drawn us to this point here, neither Real nor PSG hold the keys to unlock the answer to this situation. They can simply react to what occurs, will PSG risk keeping a player who may want out, losing him for nothing? Or will they accept a forced sale for what will likely be a reduced price?
Of course, there was always the debate of Mbappé extending, including a deal that has a ‘Real Madrid clause,’ however, even reports of that have seen the Frenchman reject such an idea. It seems the end of this saga is at the now or never point.
For Madrid, a club in need of a superstar and one in transition, Mbappé has never been more attainable than he is right now. If Florentino Pérez wants to sway the public back in his favour, this is the deal he must complete.
Even for all of Real’s financial struggles, deals can be done. Manchester United sealing Sancho, a player who also wanted out of Dortmund, was done with a favourable position for United, with Dortmund not even being happy about the deal but having to accept it.
Real are in a similar position here, but the ball remains in Mbappé’s court to act. Should he decide to depart The Parc des Princes, Real Madrid have the power and leverage over PSG. It seems a matter of if and will they do it.