INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford has laughed off suggestions that Manchester United could sign Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Mbappe has told Paris Saint-Germain that he will be ending his contract at the club this summer in order to depart on a free transfer, and Real Madrid are the heavy favourites for his signature.
There have also been suggestions of interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta claiming that his side must 'be in the conversation' for players of that ilk.
Arteta hinted that the France international had already agreed to make the move to Real Madrid, though, and Brailsford offered a similar response when questioned by a Man United fan earlier this week.
Brailsford, who is set to be a vital part of Man United's new-look football department under incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, laughed off the possibility of a switch to Old Trafford.
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"I think he's got his heart set on going to Real Madrid," said the INEOS director of sport.
Mbappe has again been in excellent form for PSG during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 31 goals and registering seven assists in 30 appearances in all competitions.
Despite interest from the Premier League, the World Cup winner is set to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer, but it will still be one of the biggest deals of all time in terms of wages and the signing-on fee.
Man United are expected to be in the market for a new forward this summer, with Anthony Martial set to depart on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June.
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Rasmus Hojlund has been in excellent form of late, scoring five goals and registering two assists in his last five Premier League appearances.
The Denmark international has now managed 11 goals and two assists in 29 appearances for Erik ten Hag's side since his arrival from Atalanta BC.
Man United must decide whether to bring in a big-name striker to battle Hojlund for the role through the middle, or a player who would act as back-up to the highly-rated 21-year-old.
The 20-time English champions are also set to sign a centre-back and central midfielder this summer, but the size of their transfer budget will be impacted by their final position in the Premier League table, with the team's recent form putting them in a strong position to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Matt Law
