Following the Russia 2018 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe emerged as one of the most sought-after players in global football, and since then, his journey has been extensively covered in the European football media.
Yet, recent revelations indicate that during his time as a promising talent at Monaco, discussions occurred with Barcelona regarding a potential transfer. Such a development, if realized, could have profoundly altered the landscape of competition among the most influential football clubs in Europe.
Read More: IPL 2024: RR vs RCB – Match Preview, Prediction, Team News and Fantasy XI
Inside Barcelona’s Failed Bid to Sign Mbappe and Its Ramifications
Javier Bordas, a former member of the Blaugrana board during the tenures of Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, disclosed to ‘El Chiringuito’ the details of these discussions that took place in 2017, where the possibility of bringing Kylian Mbappe to La Masia alongside stars like Leo Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Neymar was explored.
Reflecting on the potential signing, Bordas expressed regret, stating, “If I had been in charge, Mbappe would have played for Barça.” However, the coveted player ultimately joined PSG, while Barcelona secured the blockbuster signing of Neymar for a record-breaking fee of 222 million euros ($239 million).”
“The prospect of Mbappe’s arrival in Catalonia, at a considerably lower cost, had generated optimism within the management, with discussions even involving Mbappe and his father.”
Bordas revealed a preference for Mbappe over Neymar, who was eventually replaced by Ousmane Dembele for 135 million euros ($145 million). Subsequently, Barcelona lost out on these marquee signings, leaving them without a player of similar caliber and impacting their competitiveness in Europe. This also indirectly facilitated Real Madrid’s protracted negotiations to secure Mbappe’s signature.
The potential arrival of Mbappe at Real Madrid would likely reignite media frenzy and solidify the club’s status as the most prominent and talked-about squad globally. Conversely, it would deal a significant blow to Barcelona, both on the field and in terms of media attention, prompting the club to seek alternative strategies to compete commercially with their arch-rivals.
Could Haaland Be Barca’s Answer To Madrid’s Mbappe?
Indeed, Bordas disclosed a similar scenario involving the Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland. However, the presence of Luis Suarez in the team at that time hindered Haaland’s potential transfer, despite the opportunity to acquire him for a nominal fee.
“Haaland could have joined Barca for 20 million euros ($21.6 million), but with Luis Suarez in the squad, the coaching staff deemed it inappropriate to sign him while he was at Dortmund,” lamented Bordas.
Similar to the Mbappe situation, the decision not to sign Haaland would have had significant repercussions for Barcelona, both in terms of media attention and on-field performance. As the club prepares for a new phase in the upcoming summer, marked by Xavi Hernandez’s announced departure and efforts to address financial challenges, they will likely focus on recruiting a marquee player to lead them into the future.
Luis Enrique Refutes Mbappe Insult Allegations, Defends Player’s Professionalism
PSG coach Luis Enrique has dismissed claims that Kylian Mbappe insulted him when the striker was substituted against Marseille, labeling it as a “lie.” He emphasized his satisfaction with Mbappe’s attitude, stating that he is “very happy” with it.
“The funny thing is that everything is generated from a lie, that’s what happens in the world of football. Someone has invented an insult and speculations of all kinds have arisen. I am 53 years old. I already have a part of my body bald which is my head,” said the coach at a press conference on the eve of the Coupe de France semi-final against Rennes.
Luis Enrique’s comments addressed the alleged insults reportedly uttered by Mbappe when he was substituted in the 65th minute, being replaced by Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos. Mbappe left the field with a serious demeanor, and his words, which some interpreted as insults, sparked discussion on social media.
“After the matches it’s a complicated moment, I feel very tired. But I am very happy with all the players, including Kylian. He has a sensational attitude,” added Luis Enrique.
