Real’s ambitious plans
Real Madrid are ready to make a statement “Galatico” signing this summer after the Spanish giants “make a worldrecord £240 million (RM1.3 billion) offer for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.”
Real boss Zinedine Zidane has made no secret as to his desires to overhaul the playing squad to bridge the growing gap to rivals, both domestically and in Europe.
The record fee for Mbappe, according to France Football, would be the first piece for Real in a summer where they hope to secure Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba to link up with Mbappe.
Mbappe’s stock has continued to rise since swapping Monaco for PSG in 2017 in a move that cost the French champions upwards of £150m.
Frenchman Zidane, according to the report, is keen for the talented 20-year-old to become the figurehead for Real with major changes planned for the squad with Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Isco and Karim Benzema among those who could depart.
At just 20, Mbappe has played a key role in winning the World Cup and has scored 94 goals for PSG and France alone.
Real were keen on the player when he was ready to leave Monaco and they now appear ready to test PSG’s resolve with an eye-watering world-record bid.
Mbappe’s 30 goals in Ligue 1 this season saw him equal Thierry Henry’s record of the most goals scored by a Frenchman in a single season in the league.
Hazard, entering the final year of his contract at Chelsea, is considered the most attainable player on Real’s radar this summer, with AS reporting in Spain the player is “ready to hand in a transfer request” to secure the move.
Chelsea are keen to hold out for a fee close to £100m for their star player but risk him leaving on a free if no deal is agreed between the two clubs this summer.
While Mbappe and Hazard would represent major upgrades to Real’s attacking trident, Pogba is considered the primary target in central midfield.
The Frenchman has long flirted with the Bernabeu club but along with moves for Mbappe and Hazard, a £160m move for Pogba would appear unfeasible in one transfer window.
United’s public stance is that they do not wish to sell, with Woodward keen to keep the France international due to his mass commercial appeal.
Yet, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may feel differently about retaining a player who doesn’t wish to be at the club.
Real are hoping to offer £100m for Pogba as manager Zidane looks to overhaul his squad.
However, that is unlikely to wash with the Red Devils with Pogba contracted for another two years and the club having an option to extend his deal by another 12 months to June 2022.