Real Madrid: Mbappé has the key to get out the PSG door
There are mixed emotions in the Spanish capital but Los Blancos' hierarchy know what needs to happen if they are to get their number one target this summer.
These are decisive days for Real Madrid. Decisive because a storm is building through this European Championship, one that will be unleashed around Kylian Mbappé and PSG following its conclusion. And this storm will determine whether or not the French star will be wearing the famous white shirt from the start of next season.
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Critical months for Mbappé and Real Madrid
As this paper previously revealed, there is a crucial first step in Real Madrid's strategy to snare the French youngster for the Bernabéu crowd: Mbappé must declare to Nasser Al Khelaifi that he wants to sign for Real Madrid. He must also reinforce his request by putting on record that he will not renew his contract with PSG, which expires in 2022, and that this would leave him free in July of that year.
This is Madrid's final offensive for Mbappé. Los Blancos been very respectful with PSG in recent years, even publicly denying reports of agreements or negotiations with Mbappé or previously with his teammate Neymar. So now the ball is clearly in the court of the player. Madrid are waiting for the player to take the appropriate step that will open the door for negotiations between the clubs to begin. Recent comments made publicly by both Mbappé and Al Khelaifi have reinforced the belief in Spain that a move can still happen in the upcoming transfer window.
Real Madrid are basing their hopes on the 22-year old staying firm on his desire to move. PSG have him under contract, and many would argue are one of the few clubs that could afford to let him leave for free after another season, but if a player is unhappy, it is rarely good business to follow that path. Clearly convincing Mbappé to extend his contract is still the objective in Paris, potentially still meaning he departs in 2022, but for a sizeable price.
Madrid are concerned that as time goes on, their number one target will be under so much pressure that he will end up signing an extended contract. If that is the case then there has been talk of a pro-Madrid clause being written into it, with a transfer value agreed up front. That is not what the Spanish giants want, but it may be as good as they get if the player doesn’t turn the rather sticky key following France’s involvement in Euro 2020.