Manchester United have a much better chance at landing Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain this summer after Real Madrid decided to pursue a Chelsea star instead, according to a report.
Mbappe was expected to leave PSG last summer as Real president Florentino Perez pushed incredibly hard to sign him. However, the forward shocked the footballing world in May last year by agreeing a new three-year contract with the French giants.
According to The Guardian, Mbappe was handed a stunning €100million signing-on bonus, as well as being given powers at PSG that no other player has ever had.
Everyone involved with PSG celebrated the new deal as Mbappe staying is viewed as being crucial if the club are to finally end their Champions League woes. However, they failed to win the coveted trophy once again this season.
PSG failed to score a goal as they were convincingly beaten 3-0 by Bayern Munich over two legs in the round of 16. While PSG are in pole position to win the Ligue 1 title – they have an eight-point lead on second-placed Marseille – the UCL exit could have disastrous consequences.
Head coach Christophe Galtier could lose his job and Mbappe may also push for an exit out of the Parc des Princes.
Real would normally be considered his main suitors, due to the shared love between the two parties. However, according to CaughtOffside, who cite 90Min, the Spanish titans have decided to go after Kai Havertz of Chelsea instead.
Real are hunting for Karim Benzema’s successor in attack. While Benzema is expected to pen a one-year contract extension, Real want to sign his long-term replacement this summer to give the new forward a season to adapt and learn from the Ballon d’Or winner.
Real Madrid pull out of Kylian Mbappe hunt
Real seem to have been left hurt by Mbappe’s rejection of them last year and have opted to strike him off their transfer wish list, with Havertz now on their radar as an alternative.
There have even been claims that Real are in initial talks with Havertz’s entourage over a potential move.
Havertz going to Real instead of Mbappe would delight Man Utd fans. With Real out of the picture, Man Utd would be one of the best-placed clubs to pick the electric Frenchman up.
Man Utd’s illustrious history and massive worldwide following should get Mbappe’s attention.
Erik ten Hag’s side could also make it a very successful end to the campaign by qualifying for next season’s Champions League and adding the FA Cup trophy to the Carabao Cup they won earlier this season.
Such achievements would show Mbappe that Ten Hag’s project is only going in one direction, and that is up.
Of course, the 24-year-old would cost a huge transfer fee and would demand massive wages from Man Utd, too. But if the Red Devils’ lucrative takeover from either Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim Ratcliffe goes through, then they would have the finances to deal with such costs.
It would be incredible to see Mbappe play in the Prem. With PSG and France the attacker has proven himself to be one of the best players in the world, if not the best. This season, for example, he has managed 34 goals in just 37 appearances across all competitions.
Mbappe going up against Erling Haaland for the Prem’s Golden Boot award would be a breath-taking goalscoring race. It is now up to Man Utd to make the transfer a reality, with Real no longer in the running.
