It is now or never for Kylian Mbappe to join Real Madrid

And so the saga continues. Ever since Kylian Mbappe was earmarked to achieve great things, he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. He is looked upon as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo by the Real Madrid faithful. He has flirted with the club for a move to the Bernabeu time and again, only to leave Madrid in the lurch each time.

It all started in the summer of 2017. Mbappe’s exploits with Monaco persuaded Florentino Perez to go all-in for him. However, he preferred a move to PSG. He did not want to leave his home country so soon. Also, a move to Real Madrid came with colossal expectations considered too much to carry for Mbappe’s relatively young shoulders. Fair enough.

Mbappe put a spanner in the works for PSG as he rejected multiple contract extensions throughout the 2020-21 season. Florentino Perez followed up with a whopping 200 million Euro bid during the closing days of the summer transfer window to mount enormous pressure on PSG to sell Mbappe. PSG however adamant in their stance kept on rejecting Madrid’s approach till the very end.

Real Madrid want Mbappe, but Mbappe needs to want Real Madrid back this summer

Cut to January 2022. As per the latest reports from ESPN, there is optimism within the PSG camp that Mbappe will be willing to sign a contract extension albeit a short one. Though the sources claim that Madrid bosses are preaching calm over these rumors. Vinicius Jr.’s astronomical rise and Erling Haaland’s contract situation mean that Real Madrid is slightly less desperate than before regarding Mbappe’s transfer.

Make no mistake, Mbappe is still highly valued by the club. However, the situation has so evolved that now it is the question of “now or never” for Kylian Mbappe to join the club rather than the other way around. Vinicius has already shown he has what it takes to be the superstar. He occupies the left-wing spot preferred by Mbappe himself. Rodrygo and Asensio may not be proficient but do their bit whenever given an opportunity. With talented players like Brahim and Kubo waiting in the wings, Real Madrid has enough firepower to build a formidable attack. And of course, they have the money which means they can go for almost any big player including Haaland in the transfer window.

Time is ripe for Mbappe to force a move. Benzema is still playing at a high level. They have already shown glimpses of their exquisite chemistry while playing for France. The royal midfield of Kroos, Casemiro and Modric may yet have another season in them. In Carlo Ancelotti, we have a coach with an elite winning mentality capable of formulating tactics suitable for every possible situation.

And most importantly the fan base of the club has shown immense admiration for him despite belonging to a club that not many people are fond of. There is no player in the recent memory who has captured the hearts of the Madridistas the way Mbappe has. Every interview that the club president or anyone affiliated with the club is part of involves questions about one player – Kylian Mbappe.

Everyone associated with the club wants Mbappe. Mbappe has always wanted Real Madrid too. But we are talking about the biggest football club on the planet. If a move fails this time, I fear this adulation and anticipation will turn sour. Real Madrid has waited long enough. It’s time to make it happen, Kylian.