Real Madrid have reportedly taken a new stance regarding Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Real's pursuit of Mbappe over the past couple of years has been widely documented, with many still believing his next destination is likely to be the Spanish giants.
The reigning UEFA Champions League winners were desperate to make him their marquee signing on a free contract after the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign, but were dealt a huge blow when the 24-year-old decided to extend his stay and sign a new mega contract in France, which was said to have made him the best-paid player at the club on reported wages of £827 000 (R17.5 million) a week, according Salary Sport.
Read: Guardiola: I will quit Man City if...
Reeling from the loss of a rising superstar, Real supporters and their president Florentino Perez were left unimpressed with the decision, with the chief even insisting the player had become a completely different character in the process.
"This is not the Mbappe I wanted to bring, he is another one, who must have changed his dream. He changes, he is offered other things, he is pressured and he is already another footballer," Perez said in an interview with El Chiringuito TV in June 2022.
"There is no one at Real Madrid above the club. He is a great player, he can win more than others, but it is a collective sport and we have values and principles that we cannot change."
Despite Perez's insistence in public that he was no longer interested in signing the Frace attacker, it was claimed last week that Los Blancos were "ready to move" for his signature again, with the Frenchman's future once again under the spotlight despite being tied down to PSG until 2024.
Now, according to Marca, Real have decided that they do not want to "waste their time" chasing up PSG about the pacey attacker after what transpired last year, and will cease making any contact with the Ligue 1 club about the forward.
It is claimed that even though they know the player has been unhappy in Paris after signing his new deal, Los Blancos do not want to get involved in the drama around his situation at the Parc des Princes, with reports having suggested the 24-year-old sought an exit just months after his extension was signed.
It is also said that the LaLiga giants have not ruled out a move for him altogether, but will wait until his camp or PSG make it clear they will consider the potential transfer before attempting to thrash out a deal.
Read: Ten Hag: What must change if Man Utd want trophies
Last week, a source close to PSG insisted that Real were the only club who could purchase the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, and that it could cost the Madrid outfit as much as €400 million (R7.4 billion) to get his signature.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: CRAZY FOOTBALL SKILLS AND GOALS