PSG forward Kylian Mbappe is set to become one of the most in-demand free agents on the market at the end of the season.
After reluctantly agreeing to a two-year contract extension in 2022, Mbappe looks set to leave the French capital in search of winning domestic trophies. La Liga club Real Madrid positioned themselves as favourites to sign the talented 25-year-old after missing out on Erling Haaland.
However, reports claimed Liverpool have also emerged as one of the teams pushing to complete a deal for the World Cup winner. Amid a weekend of varying reports, the ECHO has rounded up all you need to know about the situation.
Mbappe issues statement
Mbappe’s camp issued a statement on his future today (Monday), saying that ‘no discussions have been held’ regarding his position at PSG or his next club.
The update said: “There’s NO agreement on Kylian future. There have been no discussions about his future. No type of influence could dictate the timing of Kylian’s discussions, reflections, decisions”.
Mbappe uncertainty
Last Thursday, Mbappe spoke openly about the January transfer window. In an interview sourced by BBC Sport, he explained: “First of all, I’m very, very, very motivated for this year. It’s very important.
“As I said, we’ve got titles to go after and we’ve already won one, so that’s already done. After that, no, I haven’t made up my mind yet.
“But in any case, with the agreement I made with the chairman [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] this summer, it doesn’t matter what I decide. We managed to protect all parties and preserve the club’s serenity for the challenges ahead, which remains the most important thing. So we’ll say it’s secondary.”
Real Madrid confidence
According to Foot Mercato, Real were increasingly confident last week that Mbappe will be lining up for them next season. It was claimed the forward had reached an agreement with Los Blancos over the festive period and it was all but done.
Waiving loyalty bonus
According to Caught Offside, Mbappe was in line to receive a loyalty bonus of £69m for staying with PSG in the summer of 2023. However, France’s captain has chosen to waive the first installment of this payment.
It is believed Mbappe could be willing to forgo the money entirely should he leave the Ligue 1 giants at the end of his current deal.
Open to the Premier League
On Sunday, The Times gave Liverpool fresh hope of signing the winger when they reported Mbappe’s disappointment with Real Madrid. The 25-year-old is claimed to have been unhappy with Real’s insistence on him signing a pre-contract agreement this month.
Due to his contract expiring in the next six months, Mbappe is free to sign with a club outside of France before the end of the season. However, the forward is claimed to be wanting to explore his options which includes the Premier League.
While Real have reportedly made him an offer to make him the best paid player at the club, Mbappe is thought to have told friends he will not allow the Spanish giants to decide his future for him.
Edwards said: “Over the weekend, there were a series of stories saying that Kylian Mbappe was suddenly tempted by a move to the Premier League and my ears pricked up. I’m sure everybody’s ears pricked up because we’d all like to see Kylian Mbappe playing for one of the Premier League’s big clubs, probably not Manchester United, but there were links to Liverpool.
“I think Mbappe was quoted as saying his mum was a big fan of Liverpool. We all know that no matter how old we get, we all do what mum says eventually.
“It now seems like he’s heading back to Real Madrid, but I’ve got to be honest, until I see Kylian Mbappe doing keepy-uppies at the Bernabeu dressed in the white kit with the scarf over his head, I can’t believe this story’s true.”
