With recent reports suggesting that both Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in the idea of signing Kylian Mbappe amid his standoff with Paris Saint-Germain, is the Premier League a realistic destination for the French superstar?
PSG and their talisman are current locked in a contract standoff, as the club are demanding that the player triggers the one-year contract extension included in his deal. However, the forward has made it clear that he will not be doing so and that he will run down his contract until it expires in June 2024 instead. This has certainly incensed those at the top, with club president Nassr Al-Khelaifi making it unmistakably clear that the marksman has until the end of July to make a decision or he will be sold.
Long-term Mbappe admirers Real Madrid, are widely believed to be the France superstar's next destination although no talks have been initiated between the parties involved. Reports in Spain have continued to indicate that Los Blancos have taken an unwavering stance on acquiring the 24-year-old, insisting that they will not engage in any discussions with PSG and will only sign the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner as a free agent, with pre-contract agreement talks set to get underway in January.
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Should Mbappe not meet PSG's contract ultimatum by 31 July, the Paris-born footballer will immediately be put up for sale for fee in excess of €200 million (R4 billion), according to French publication RMC Sport. Therefore, it is likely that Real will be forced to consider making a move in the current transfer window if they want to avoid losing the goal-poacher to the allure of the Premier League, amid recent suggestions that Liverpool and Arsenal are interested.
While it's unclear what decision Mbappe will make, his departure from the Parc des Princes remains a foreseeable scenario, as PSG would rather recoup some of the €180 million (R3.6 billion) they purchased him for from AS Monaco in 2018, as it would be a shame to lose one of the best talents in the world for free. Therefore, the Premier League now looks to be a realistic option for Mbappe if any English giant presents an offer that meets Ligue 1 champions' price expectations, with the caveat being that a potential suitor will need have to make an unprecedented investment on a single player in order to make sure the he maintains his spot as the highest-paid player in Europe.
Spanish journalist journalist Edu Aguirre recently made a sensational claim on El Chiringuito TV, indicating that Liverpool had submitted mouthwatering bid of €200 million but this was denied by Fabrizio Romano, who insisted that the PSG didn't not receive any offers from English teams. Arsenal have reportedly also emerged in the race for the former Golden Boy Award winner but understand the astronomical fees associated with the deal.
According to Sky Sports, Mbappe pockets an estimated £2 million (R47.9 million) a week in Ligue 1 and would likely not accept any salary below that figure. A signing-on fee and loyalty bonus would increase his package dramatically, with the British outlet claiming that the total cost of the deal could reach up to £490 million (R11.7 billion), which would be nearly £1.3 million (R31.1 million) per week more than the likes of Bukayo Saka. From a financial standpoint, it is fiscally unlikely that Mbappe could realistically join Arsenal or Liverpool in the current window following the two clubs' recent heavy spending on the likes of Kai Havertz, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister, while Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are still set to join the Gunners.
Real remain the only club who can realistically sign Mbappe, according to reports in Spain, but they could be presented with a serious challenge when the player becomes a free agent, as it would allow him more flexible options with regards to where he wants to play next. The superstar has already shown that he is able to say no to the LaLiga giants, having previously done so in May 2022. Having also been accused of having an ego in the dressing room, the Madrid team could be an unideal destination for him, as it has a solid reputation of not giving in to the petty or selfish demands of any player. They are considered to be one of a few clubs where no player could ever be bigger than the club.
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