Kylian Mbappe and PSG’s ‘soap opera’ takes a new twist as FC Barcelona enters the race to sign the French International this summer. PSG’s decision to drop Mbappe from their pre-season tour of Japan rang the alarm bells, leading to reports of Mbappe being put up for sale by the club as he enters the last year of his current deal.
According to L’Equipe, FC Barcelona has shown interest and initiated a telephonic conversation with PSG about a possible transfer of the talented forward. Due to financial difficulties, FC Barcelona is considering a ‘players swap + fee’ deal as part of the negotiation.
🚨🚨💣| BREAKING: FC Barcelona & Paris Saint-Germain had a meeting today to start talks for the transfer of Kylian Mbappé!@lequipe [🎖️] pic.twitter.com/AYSBDFrZ72
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) July 24, 2023
A few reports from France suggest that PSG is interested in four players from the Barcelona squad: Gavi, Ousmane Dembélé, Jules Kounde, and Frenkie De Jong. The situation is still developing, and Barcelona’s stance on which players they are willing to offer is yet to be clarified.
Early reactions on social media mostly express disbelief at the fact that Barcelona is attempting to sign the French superstar. Fans are uncertain how the club can afford Kylian Mbappe’s wages, especially considering the financial constraints that prevented them from re-signing Lionel Messi from PSG.
*Barcelona are interested in signing Mbappe.*
Literally everyone: pic.twitter.com/XVYw2Zu1TP
— N A (@themodricera) July 24, 2023
Barcelona won’t be the only club trying to secure the services of the French international. Their eternal rivals, Real Madrid, still remain huge favorites to sign the French international. However, Barcelona might have the first-mover advantage over other heavyweights in Europe.
Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Inter Milan join the race to sign Kylian Mbappe
Apart from La Liga heavyweights, English sides such as Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United, and UCL finalist Inter Milan are also reported to be joining the race to land the highly-rated French superstar.
According to Sky Sports, the market to sign Mbappe is highly competitive, with PSG receiving inquiries from Serie A and English clubs, in addition to the early advances from Al-Hilal and FC Barcelona.
BREAKING: Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Barcelona are all interested in signing Kylian Mbappé 👀👇 pic.twitter.com/g3BdJqsMW4
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 24, 2023
The move of such a big superstar will be complex, as Real Madrid remains the preferred destination for the French superstar. Mbappe wants to move to Real Madrid for free next season after his current contract with PSG expires. This will allow Mbappe to command a high signing bonus from any club (including Real Madrid) that he chooses to join as a free agent.
A possible move to Saudi Arabia is also interesting for Mbappe, as Al-Hilal is willing to offer PSG a record-breaking fee of $332 million while offering $775 million for a single season in the Saudi Pro League. This move will satisfy all the concerned parties as Mbappe can still move as a free agent in 2024 after Al-Hilal.
NO talks taking place between Mbappé and Al Hilal at this stage. Just between Al Hilal & PSG. 🔵🇸🇦
Al Hilal plan to offer Kylian Mbappé net salary worth €200m/year.
It could only reach reported €700m package by including commercial deals — leaving 100% image rights to Kylian. pic.twitter.com/l3oj7JMFZc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 24, 2023
However, Mbappe’s camp might not be interested in moving away from European soccer during the prime of his career, even if it is for a season. The soap opera of Kylian Mbappe is well and truly alive again, as fans and experts will speculate in the coming weeks about his new destination away from PSG.
