Transfer Centre

Real Madrid 'still interested in Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 December 2022

Real Madrid 'still interested in Kylian Mbappe'

Real Madrid reportedly still hold an interest in Kylian Mbappe, who snubbed Los Blancos to sign a new Paris Saint-Germain contract earlier this year.

Real Madrid are reportedly still interested in a future deal for Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe.

The 23-year-old was expected to leave the Parc des Princes for the Bernabeu this summer, with his original PSG deal due to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season.

However, Mbappe snubbed interest from the Spanish and European champions to sign an extension with the French champions, who have him under contract until 2025.

The former Monaco starlet has enjoyed another impressive season in terms of goal contributions, but his future was called into question once again only a few months after his new deal was announced.

Mbappe had allegedly decided that signing a new deal was a "mistake" and he was keen to head elsewhere after all, but the attacker's options for transfer at this moment in time seem limited.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring for France on November 26, 2022 © Reuters

Real president Florentino Perez told reporters at the Ballon d'Or awards last month that he was no longer interested in the Mbappe saga, saying: "It's not that I'm bored, it's that I don't even read the debate about Mbappe anymore.

"We have a spectacular future ahead of us. Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo Goes are real stars. I see them as future Ballon d'Or winners."

Nevertheless, The Athletic states that Los Blancos are still keeping tabs on Mbappe's future, over one year on from failing with a last-ditch €180m (£154m) bid in the summer of 2021.

The report adds that a future move to Real Madrid was discussed as part of Mbappe's recent PSG renewal, where it was stressed that he is still young enough to play for Los Blancos in the future.

Furthermore, PSG could supposedly be more open to a sale than they were 18 months ago, although first-team manager Christophe Galtier believes that Mbappe's heart still belongs in Paris.

Kylian Mbappe in action for Paris Saint-Germain on October 11, 2022 © Reuters

"When a player is happy in a place, he has no reason to leave. To be happy you have to enjoy," Galtier told Marca in November.

"From the moment that the player enjoys himself on the field and that he feels that he is in a team that can win and that can conquer great challenges, he has no reason to leave.

"I think it was not the money. Because world-class players whether in Spain, England or France win it. They are not for the money. I think Kylian simply loves PSG. If he's happy, why shouldn't Kylian be here next season?"

Mbappe has recorded 19 goals and five assists in 20 matches for PSG in all tournaments in the 2022-23 season, while he has scored three goals and set up one more for France at the 2022 World Cup.

Manchester United have also been tipped to make a move for Mbappe as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Red Devils are not believed to be considering an imminent approach.