Real ‘preparing world record move for Mbappe’
LONDON: Real Madrid are reportedly considering a world record move to bring superstar Kylian Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Le Parisien, as reported by CalcioMercato, reveal that the Spanish giants are weighing up a staggering €400 million (RM1.8 billion) offer to snare the 20-yearold out of Paris Saint-Germain.
Any move would dramatically surpass the current world record transfer fee which was paid by PSG to sign Neymar from Barcelona for £198m (RM1.06 billion) back in 2017.
Mbappe has long been linked with a switch to Spain, dating back to his time at Monaco where he burst on the scene, particularly catching the eye in the Champions League.
Since emerging as a frightening talent aged 17, Mbappe has been relentless in his rise for club and country.
He now boasts 67 goals and has added 31 assists in just 104 league games and is currently odds-on favourite to finish the season as the top scorer in Ligue 1.
Mbappe was a key target for Real during the summer window as Zidane attempted to offload Gareth Bale and bring in a number of players to add goals to a side struggling for confidence in front of goal.
In the end Mbappe stayed in Paris and Real successfully signed Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt and Eden Hazard from Chelsea.
The potential boost in Real pulling off the ambitious pursuit of Mbappe could be bolstered by PSG’s interest in Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian impressed at the Bernabeu last season but has since struggled for game time under Zidane and could find himself deemed surplus to requirements.
Leonardo, PSG’s sporting director, is keen on securing a deal for his compatriot, according to Diario Sport, and that may open up a dialogue between the two clubs to factor in a player plus cash scenario.
The 19-year-old has only started four games this season and has come off the bench on five occasions.
Relations soured in recent weeks, particularly between Leonardo and Zidane, after the Real boss insisted it was Mbappe’s dream “to pull on the white shirt”.
Leonardo asked the Frenchman to stop talking about the prospective transfer but the manager responded by saying he’ll repeat that Real is Mbappe’s dream destination.