Real Madrid have now reportedly made a surprise decision regarding Kylian Mbappe amid the uncertainty over his future at Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe's relationship with the French club has reportedly soured after he sent a letter confirming that he would not trigger the one-year contract extension included in his deal.
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As such, the 24-year-old will leave the side when his contract expires in June 2024 – if not sooner – seven years after joining them for €180 million (R3.6 billion) from AS Monaco.
It is no secret that Real are interested in the player having courted him for several years now, but they were dealt a huge disappointment in May 2022 when the Frenchman surprisingly signed the contract he has now with PSG.
This was said to have put a heavy strain on the relationship between the Spanish giants and Les Parisiens, with the former, at one point, said to be unwilling to enter into negotiations involving the Ligue 1 champions or even pay a huge fee for Mbappe.
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After Mbappe's recent confirmation that he would not sign a new deal in Paris, though, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive, especially with speculation suggesting that PSG would only accept a sale in this window if he would not extend next year, while Los Blancos were reported to be ready to pull the trigger to sign the France captain in the coming months.
Now, according to Spanish publication Marca, Real have decided they will wait until January 2024 before negotiating the move with the Les Bleus talisman, with the intention of signing him as free agent in the following June.
PSG, meanwhile, are said to have slapped a €250 million (R5 billion) price tag on the player should a potential suitor want to sign him in the current window.
Although it is believed the Parisians' hierarchy is upset with Mbappe, receiving a potentially record-breaking fee for the forward would be a boost for their sporting project, and would improve the club's standing in terms of financial fair play regulation.
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Luis Enrique, who is expected to be announced as PSG's manager soon, is said to not be planning to get involved in the Mbappe situation, with the Spaniard reported to feel that the saga is beyond his scope of responsibilities when he arrives at the Parc des Princes.
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