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Manchester City 'willing to make Real Madrid-linked Kylian Mbappe their highest-paid player'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 19 February 2024

Man City 'willing to make Kylian Mbappe their highest-paid player'

Manchester City are reportedly prepared to make Kylian Mbappe their highest-paid player as they attempt to overtake Real Madrid to secure the services of the Paris Saint-Germain striker.

Manchester City are prepared to pull out all the stops to overtake Real Madrid in the race to sign Kylian Mbappe, according to a report.

The 25-year-old has allegedly informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will be ending his seven-year spell at the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Mbappe is PSG's all-time leading scorer with 244 goals in 291 appearances across all competitons, and has won 13 trophies with the French giants to date, including five Ligue 1 titles.

The 2018 World Cup winner with France was dropped to the substitutes' bench for PSG's Ligue 1 match away at Nantes last weekend in the wake of his alleged decision to leave the club, but he came on in the second half to score a penalty in a 2-0 win at Stade de la Beaujoire.

Mbappe has been heavily linked with a transfer to Real Madrid over the last few years, and the La Liga leaders are considered to be the frontrunners to recruit the striker this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Kylian Mbappe before the match on February 17, 2024 © Reuters

The Frenchman has allegedly agreed a five-year contract with Los Blancos, while club president Florentino Perez is said to have informed first-team players that the striker will move to the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer this summer.

However, Real Madrid could face stern competition from Man City to get the deal over the line as DefensaCentral, via Fichajes, reports that the Citizens will 'do everything possible' to win the race for Mbappe's signature.

Man City officials are said to have already met with Mbappe's representatives, and it is claimed that the Premier League champions are willing to offer the striker a higher salary than Real Madrid to secure his services.

The report adds that Pep Guardiola's side are even prepared to make Mbappe the club's highest-paid player above fellow striker Erling Haaland – who is believed to be earning around £400,000 a week – as well as table a significant signing-on bonus.

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe on January 28, 2024 © Reuters

Although Mbappe is said to have aspirations of representing Real Madrid, it is thought that Man City's strong interest and determination to lure him to the Etihad Stadium could influence his final decision on his next career move.

Man City have become the dominant force in England having won five of the last six Premier League titles, and they are bidding to win a record fourth successive top-flight crown this season.

Guardiola successfully steered the club to a historic treble last season, including their first-ever triumph in the Champions League, and the Citizens are keen to build on their European success in years to come, hoping that their ambitions can continue to attract the world's best players, including Mbappe, to the Etihad.

Mbappe, who has also been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, will presumably make a public announcement on his future at the end of the season, with PSG currently competing on three fronts.