Madrid’s search for a No.7 depends on Mbappé decision
It’s expected that UEFA will make a decision on whether PSG have complied with Financial Fair Play rules before 31 August – the final day of the transfer market in Spain. For those who might not know, FFP rules state that clubs must be able to balance their own accounts through the income they generate – in theory, that’s how the economics of football should work. However, there is a state, Qatar, which is bankrolling a club and that has created an imbalance in the system. That is what some suspect has been the case with PSG, who signed Neymar for 222 million euros then brought in Kylian Mbappé, using an ingenious financial manoeuvre – he spent last season on loan with the understanding that PSG will honour his transfer fee in full this summer.
Mbappé is
The question is whether UEFA will fine PSG, on the premise that they benefit from extra income from other sources, for example, tourism in Qatar, which is what Javier Tebas claims. If that is deemed to be the case, they won’t be able to sign players during this transfer window – just when they are obliged to pay for Mbappé. If they don’t complete that transfer, Mbappé will return to Monaco, and Madrid will have the chance to buy him. He would fit into the Madrid side like a glove - he is just what they need in attack. He was close to joining last year but a deal never happened because with Bale, Benzema and Cristiano holding down the first choice places, he wasn’t guaranteed playing time. Now that Cristiano has gone he would be.
Florentino, cautious with PSG
For many observers, this is precisely the opportunity which Florentino has been waiting for. He has held back, not wanting to be aggressive with PSG by trying to snatch their star players (Neymar, Mbappé or Cavani) for an almost superstitious respect for PSG’s Qatari owner – in sharp contrast to the aggressive manner in his dealing in years gone by with Barça (Figo), Juventus (Zidane), Inter Milan (Ronaldo) and Manchester United (Beckham - Cristiano was instigated by Ramón Calderón). But if Mbappé has to leave PSG and return to Monaco, that changes things. His arrival would certainly go a long way to making up for losing Cristiano. He would be the ideal heir to take over the No.7 shirt.