REAL MADRID
Real Madrid have famous shirt lined up for Kylian Mbappé
The Emir of Qatar has ordered PSG owner Al-Khelaïfi to open negotiations for the transfer of their young French star, with a Bernabéu presentation date set.
The Emir of Qatar has ordered Paris Saint-Germain president Al-Khelaïfi to open negotiations with Real Madrid for the transfer of Kylian Mbappé. The deal could be completed as early as this weekend although, as with any complex arrangement, nothing is done until the ink is on the paper.
Mbappé to Real Madrid potentially hours away
The hierarchy at PSG, now resigned to the fact that their French star is on his way out, are still hoping to raise the most recent offer tabled by the LaLiga giants - 170 million euros plus another ten million in variables - but it has already been stated that this is their final one. Given that they could sign the player on a pre-contract for free in January, many onlookers are questioning why their limit is so high anyway.
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As the negotiations reach critical point, back in Valdebebas they are feeling confident and are already preparing for Mbappé’s arrival, with the historically significant number 5 shirt being lined up for him. This is the same number worn on the back by his footballing idol, compatriot Zinedine Zidane.
The current owner of Los Blancos’ number 5 is Spanish defender Jesús Vallejo, but the club's idea is to pass this on to their new Galáctico. Other alternatives, should they be needed could involve the 19 that Ronaldo once wore and the 23 worn by David Beckham, but the nod to Zidane seems most fitting.
As for Mbappé's planned living address in the Spanish capital, this is going to be very close to the one Sergio Ramos had in La Moraleja, days before signing for PSG.
Mbappé to Madrid: why the rush now?
Although the transfer window is open until the end of the month, Real Madrid are very keen to get enough of the deal sorted before PSG take to the field against Reims in their Ligue 1 fixture on Sunday evening. The potential image of Mbappé, Messi and Neymar could complicate the move for the Qatari owners who have one eye on next summer's World Cup in their country.
The power of those three global superstars in the same shirt, celebrating together may prove too much, even for 180 million euros this summer.
Assuming, however, that a deal is made, Madrid have pencilled in 10 September as Mbappé's presentation day. The following day sees the return of fans to the reopened Santiago Bernabéu stadium as Celta Vigo visit in LaLIga.