There is a certain reason why Kylian Mbappe will not join Real Madrid at the end of the season and money is at the centre of it, according to an agent.
The saga around Mbappe's future looks nowhere near reaching its conclusion as the player is yet to formally announce where he will be playing his football from next season, with there being just days before the January transfer window slams shut.
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His contract at Paris Saint-Germain is down toits final six months, and the 25-year-old seemingly finds himself in the middle of a tug-of-war between PSG and Real.
The Spanish giants have spent several seasons courting the French superstar with no success to date, but recent reports suggested that they are now more hopeful than ever that they will finally get their man.
It also emerged earlier this week that the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is reportedly seeking a five-year deal worth €70 million (R1.4 billion) annually.
As per German outlet Bild, this salary demand clashes with Real's set limit of €35 million (R716 million) gross.
Now, however, an unnamed player agent has told Spanish publication Diario AS that Mbappe will be compelled to stay in Paris, with finances at the centre of his decision.
"He will stay," the agent explained.
"To leave, he would have to give up half of his current salary, which amounts to about 100 million euros (about R2 billion). That's too much money.
"Furthermore, in Qatar, where he earns a large portion of this sum, he hardly pays any taxes.
"The taxes he has to pay there are generally around 3%, but they really do what the emir says because there is no tax regulation.
"Additionally, I think Madrid is already interested in [Erling] Haaland because they consider him more necessary and believe he would adapt better to the team."
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