Mbappe coming to Real Madrid, says Benzema
MADRID — Karim Benzema says that it’s “just a matter of time” before Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe signs for Real Madrid.
Los Blancos attempted to sign Mbappe during the summer transfer window, but the French giants were reluctant to sell despite receiving a final offer of £154m.
Mbappe has now entered the final year of his contract at the Parc des Princes and will be available on a free transfer come the end of the season.
Current Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, has told French outlet L’Equipe that he expects to see his international team-mate in the white of Real Madrid.
“He said it himself. He wants to see something else,” Benzema told the French newspaper.
“Someday he will play for Real Madrid. I don’t know when. But it will come. It’s just a matter of time.”
Mbappe (22) has been Madrid’s top priority for some time, with the club keen to land the Frenchman during Zinedine Zidane’s tenure and the objective remains the same under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The French World Cup winning star is also keen to make the move and it is widely expected that he will join the club at the end of his contract.
Real Madrid made a number of attempts to sign Mbappe despite the youngster becoming a free agent next summer, though PSG turned them all back with sporting director Leonardo accusing the 13 times European Cup holders of “illegal and disrespectful behaviour” after their first bid.
Despite Los Blancos’ failed attempt to sign Mbappe, they were able to sign veteran defender David Alaba and highly rated youngster Eduardo Camavinga over the summer transfer window.
Benzema says he has no doubt about the club’s potential and claims that they have to invest in young players.
He said: “It’s still the best club in the world. Reconstruction or not, it is a new football, a new generation, new players.
“We have to invest in young people so that one day they become great footballers.
“I’m here to help you. I talk to them a lot. I want to improve them. When you improve others, you improve the team and get a lot of satisfaction.”
The Spanish giants have made a bright start to their league campaign as they sit top of LaLiga after seven games ahead of their match against Espanyol today.
They were however embarrassed in the Champions League with a shock 2-1 defeat to Moldovan champions Sheriff Tiraspol.