Real Madrid warned over Kylian Mbappe transfer 'joke'

Stuart Telford

• 18 Aug 2023 16:22 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have been told to forget about Kylian Mbappe and move for other targets if the player signs a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Mbappe was excluded from PSG's recent pre-season tour of Asia and watched on from the stands for Luis Enrique's first Ligue 1 game as manager last Saturday - a goalless draw at home to FC Lorient.

The club believed that Mbappe had an agreement in place to join Real Madrid on a free at the end of the season, but they have since decided to fold him back into first-team training - with Neymar's sale to Al-Hilal understood to have helped.

READ: 'PERFECT' Mbappe’s PSG return CONFIRMED amid Real Madrid transfer rumours

Mbappe U-turned on a move to Madrid last May, signing a new deal with PSG that made him the highest-paid player in the world until Cristiano Ronaldo's own move to Saudi Arabia in January, and if he was to do the same again, los Blancos should give up according to Antonio Romero.

'If he re-signs, the joke is complete'

"I understand there's pressure in being the star of France, PSG, and Paris 2024 Olympic Games can put you under," said the Cadena SER journalist. "I understand, to a lesser degree, that you don't want to lose a single euro, but if after all this he renews with PSG, it's time for Florentino Perez to look for a new striker.

"If he stays and renews now, the joke is complete. Real Madrid need to forget about him and sign someone else."

READ: Mbappe puts PRESSURE on Real Madrid with 'win-win' PSG agreement

Real have a Karim Benzema-shaped gap at the point of their attack since Mbape's former teammate also completed a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.

For now, they have filled it with veteran Spain striker Joselu, who joined on loan from Espanyol with an obligation to make the deal permanent next summer - at which point Brazilian prodigy Endrick will arrive in a €72m transfer from Palmeiras, on turning 18.