PREMIER LEAGUE
Will Manchester United beat Real Madrid to the signing of PSG star Kylian Mbappé?
The Frenchman intends to leave in 2024 but the Ligue 1 champions are unlikely to want to lose him for nothing.
There has long been a sense of inevitability about Kylian Mbappé leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid, a feeling that was reinforced this week by the news that the France captain had informed the club on Monday that he had no intention of extending his existing contract beyond 2024.
At that stage, what options were on the table? PSG could look to sell their prize asset this summer – presumably to Los Blancos – or lose him for free once his contract comes to an end in a little over 12 months’ time.
Mbappé calls out Real Madrid ‘lies’
The waters have been muddied somewhat by Mbappé's social media activity on Tuesday, with the attacker branding an article claiming that he would be joining Real Madrid this summer as “lies”. “I’ve already said that I would play next season with PSG, where I’m very happy”. The logical conclusion, then, is that the Ligue 1 champions will be left feeling short-changed when he does eventually move on.
This, of course, is soccer and stranger things have happened than Mbappé eventually deciding to sign a new deal at the Parc des Princes after all. But El Pais have now reported that another option is firmly on the table, one which would undoubtedly leave long-term suitors Real Madrid reeling.
How United could pip Madrid to Mbappé signing
According to the Spanish newspaper, Premier League giants Manchester United will move to the front of the queue for the Frenchman should Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani finalise his takeover of the club.
El Pais say that the deal would be “win-win” for all parties, with PSG receiving a hefty transfer fee, United one of soccer’s elite-level performers and Mbappé the chance to play for one of the top clubs in one of world’s richest and strongest leagues. The report also indicates that the forward has known about Sheikh Jassim’s desire to make him a statement signing at Old Trafford since February and would be “interested” in the proposal.
Were it to happen, Madrid would be the main losers, although, the way things are going in Manchester, Mbappé's contract at PSG may well expire before any potential sale of the Red Devils is complete…