Real Madrid face fresh competition in Kylian Mbappe pursuit

Cameron Smith

• 18 Feb 2024 15:24 CST
• 3 min read

Manchester City are reportedly interested in beating Real Madrid to the signing of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

The France international is set to become a free agent when his PSG contract expires this summer, and he has informed Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he will not be renewing his current deal at the Parc des Princes.

As a result, Mbappe will leave the Parisians on a free transfer in July, with Real Madrid deemed to be his most realistic destination.

The former AS Monaco wonderkid dreamed of playing for Los Blancos growing up and although he rejected the chance to join the Spanish giants in 2022, he is expected to finally make the long-anticipated move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

However, there is significant interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal and Liverpool both linked with a move for Mbappe. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta even recently admitted that his side “have to be in the conversation” to sign the PSG forward.

Furthermore, reports from Spain have now stated that Man City met with one of Mbappe’s agents one day before he informed PSG of his desire to leave the club.

According to Cadena SER (via The Daily Mail), Man City officials spoke to Mbappe’s representatives in an “informal capacity” amid his impending PSG exit.

Kylian Mbappe to Man City?

Although Man City have seemingly joined the race to sign Mbappe, the Frenchman still has his heart set on signing for Real Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The transfer expert told his YouTube channel: “The feeling is really strong with the Real Madrid board. They believe that this time they are all set to make it happen.

“This is why, some weeks ago in early January 2024, Real Madrid sent their formal contract proposal to Kylian Mbappe, his mother and his camp.

"Now they have to proceed to the signing stage, this is the crucial moment. The salary offer will be way lower than the one proposed in the summer of 2022, and also the signing-on fee is lower than the one proposed in 2022.”