Real Madrid Transfers: PSG’s reported Kylian Mbappe stance amidst Lionel Messi’s availability

The unthinkable has happened. Lionel Messi will indeed be leaving FC Barcelona this summer after the club chose the possibility of the European Super League over accepting a cash windfall from an investment deal LaLiga scored that would have enabled Barça to afford the club legend. And while Real Madrid fans relish the prospect of no longer having to deal with Messi, even as losing a legendary figure in the league leaves a hole, they are also looking forward to how Messi’s availability impacts their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe.

There is no doubt that Mbappe is the dream target of Madridistas. He is a generational talent who can provide the goal-scoring and skill that Real Madrid desperately need to reinvigorate their anemic attack. Mbappe is a special player, and with one year left on his deal, there is hope that Los Blancos can pry him away from PSG. It is clear that he does not intend to stay and wants the challenge Real would provide.

PSG have been linked with Messi already, as the domino effect of Messi going to PSG and enabling the Qatar-owned club to part ways with Mbappe has been discussed for quite some time.

But we must pause for now. The latest edition of L’Equipe, per Get French Football News on Twitter, will state that sources within PSG do not see Lionel Messi as a realistic signing. In fact, they will relay that their main focus remains extending Kylian Mbappe so that the club does not have to risk losing him for free in 2022.

PSG might need to sell Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid in order to take on Lionel Messi’s wages

Whether extending Mbappe is realistic or not is an entirely different case, because even if he were to change his mind, would he do so suddenly and before the season starts?

And in the case of Messi being realistic, where else would he go? Manchester City seem to have designs on Jack Grealish and Harry Kane in tandem, though they could indeed pivot from the England international to the Barcelona legend. The Pep Guardiola link, style of play, branding opportunities, and previous interest in Messi seem to make them major players.

PSG, though, are very much right there with City on the list of realistic options for Messi and have their own marketing ambitions. Plus, Angel Di Maria, Neymar, and Messi all together in the attack would be quite the story and the best way to ease the blow of losing Mbappe.

Finally, adding Messi’s wages will be tough, even for PSG. With so many incoming transfers like Achraf Hakim, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer, recouping some money and not losing Mbappe for free would seem to be important.

But we shall see. For now, L’Equipe is saying that PSG’s stance is to do whatever they can to keep Mbappe and that they are even worried about being “used” by Messi’s camp during the negotiations with La Blaugrana.

Real Madrid fans should remain optimistic about Messi’s departure from Barcelona increasing their chances of signing Mbappe, but there may be more twists in this early-developing sag.