Why Real Madrid need Kylian Mbappe's help to facilitate summer transfer
Kylian Mbappe will have to force his way out of Paris Saint-Germain for a reasonable transfer fee if he is to complete a move to Real Madrid this summer, 90min understands.
The 24-year-old has informed PSG he will not be signing a new contract or activating an extension clause to take his current deal beyond 2024.
The French champions have been stunned by this choice - reports from France even state they were confused by Mbappe's decision to write them a letter explaining his decision - and they face the prospect of letting him leave for free next year or selling him this summer.
PSG have already lost Lionel Messi to Inter Miami on a free transfer, while Neymar's future at Parc des Princes is also uncertain amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Mbappe nearly joined Real Madrid as a free agent in 2022 before deciding to stay at PSG, which came as a huge shock to Los Blancos.
Sources have told 90min that Real Madrid want to assess Mbappe's situation this summer a little more before making a decision.
READ MORE FROM THE 90MIN TALKING TRANSFERS TEAM
feed
Reports across Europe have already claimed that PSG could command a nine-figure fee for Mbappe and 90min understands Real Madrid are reluctant to get into such a transfer war.
Following Karim Benzema's departure to Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad, Real Madrid are on the hunt for a new centre forward, with Harry Kane, Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic among their targets.
90min understands that Real Madrid would be comfortable prioritising a move for a natural number nine, though they would not have any concerns about fitting Mbappe into a system and believe he is capable of playing through the middle.
While ultimately Real Madrid and Mbappe share a mutual interest in making a transfer work, Los Blancos will need the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner to help facilitate a move from PSG.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was recently filmed being asked about whether the club would sign Mbappe, replying: "Yes, but not this summer." This was prior to Monday's revelations, however.
LISTEN NOW
On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Toby Cudworth is joined by Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the latest transfer news. On the agenda is future of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi's shock move to Inter Miami, Declan Rice's proposed Arsenal deal, Tottenham's summer plans and more. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!