Real Madrid is set to launch a renewed effort to secure the signature of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain, setting a deadline for the forward to decide on joining them this summer.
As of January 1, Mbappe will enter the final six months of his PSG contract, allowing him to engage in negotiations with other clubs for a potential free transfer.
Having learned from mistakes in the summer of 2022, Real Madrid is determined to avoid a repeat scenario when Mbappe opted for a contract renewal with PSG. The La Liga side has communicated to the 25-year-old that a decision must be made before mid-January if he intends to join them.
Despite some feelings of betrayal among certain quarters at Real Madrid following Mbappe’s decision to extend his contract with PSG in May 2022, contact between the player and the club has persisted, as highlighted by The Athletic in January 2023.
Evolution of the Deal: Real Madrid’s Financial Considerations and Dressing Room Dynamics
The dynamics of the potential deal in 2022 are likely to have evolved.
Real Madrid’s financial landscape has been influenced by the escalating costs of renovations at the Santiago Bernabeu, constraining their spending power in the transfer market. The club places a high priority on achieving profitability annually, a feat even accomplished during the challenges of the pandemic.
Mindful of maintaining harmony in the dressing room, Real Madrid has been vigilant in controlling the wage bill. Mbappe’s potential arrival, with a salary more than double that of current stars, presents a delicate matter behind closed doors. Players like Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni, who chose Real Madrid over more lucrative offers, exemplify the club’s emphasis on values beyond financial considerations.
While there is a collective desire at Valdebebas for Mbappe to bolster the team, uncertainties surround whether this aspiration will materialize. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti, recently committed until 2026, and players like Vinicius Junior, who engages with Mbappe on social media, share the enthusiasm.
Mbappe maintains direct communication with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, a steadfast supporter of the potential signing. However, if discussions progress, negotiations will likely be overseen by Jose Angel Sanchez, Real Madrid’s general manager, along with Fayza Lamari and Delphine Verheyden—Mbappe’s mother and lawyer, respectively. The involvement of an intermediary, as seen in 2021 and 2022, remains a possibility.
Mbappe’s PSG Future
There is a prevailing sentiment at PSG that Kylian Mbappe might choose to extend his stay in Paris once again. Some within the club doubt that Real Madrid will present the financial package that Mbappe desires.
PSG, both from a sporting and financial standpoint, feels adequately secure following the developments in July and August. However, given the unpredictable nature of the situation, they remain open to any possible outcome.
In the previous summer, Mbappe found himself relegated to the “loft,” a group of players not considered part of PSG’s immediate first-team plans. He was also excluded from the pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea. At that time, PSG put him up for sale, anticipating that he intended to let his contract run down and then join Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer.
Additionally, there was a record-breaking offer of €300m from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, and PSG granted permission for them to negotiate with Mbappe. Ultimately, he was “reinstated” into the first team.
