Mbappe to Real Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister weighs in on PSG star’s ‘SOAP OPERA’

Robin Bairner

• 15 Jul 2023 12:28 BST
• 4 min read

Kylian Mbappe’s future is being discussed by officials at the highest level – and not just in football circles. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has weighed in on the transfer debate surrounding the PSG attacker, who continues to be closely linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Mbappe has made it clear that he will not take up an option in his PSG contract that will see him extend his deal with his hometown club for a further year.

With his current agreement due to run out in 2024, he is destined to become a free agent.

Although FootballTransfers has revealed that big-spending Arsenal are weighing up a move in 12 months’ time for Mbappe, Real Madrid are the hot favourites to land the 24-year-old France superstar.

The PSG star has made it clear that he admires the 14-time Champions League winners, and while he spurned Los Blancos last summer to sign an extension in France, it is doubtful whether he would shun the opportunity to move to the Bernabeu once again.

Indeed, there are reports that Mbappe could earn close to a billion euros if he were to move to Real Madrid.

Naturally, the fate of the striker has generated a terrific debate, which Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez has been drawn into.

Speaking to Marca, he was asked about Mbappe and replied: “Will he sign for Real Madrid or not? You know it best, what a soap opera!

“I don’t think that Mbappe himself knows what he wants to do, whether he will join Madrid or not.”

Sanchez praises NBA star Wembanyama

Sanchez hinted that Mbappe is not the French athlete he admires the most. Instead, he heaped praise on NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama.

“I really like the NBA. Now I am in awe of this French boy, Wembanyama. Just yesterday I came from Vilnius, I was having dinner and I watched the NBA Summer League,” he said. “The guy had 26 points. It is a wonder. He's 19 years old. He is incredible.”

Mbappe is also a big fan of Wembanyama, who hails from Paris, but like the teenaged NBA superstar, he could be forced to spread his wings and depart this summer.

Should the striker fail to take up the option of an additional year in his contract, which expires on 31 July, PSG have threatened to sell him immediately. This threatens Real Madrid’s prospects of a deal, having already signed Jude Bellingham for more than €100 million this summer, and is not what the Bernabeu club wants.