Kylian Mbappe has decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season. This wasn’t much of a surprise and was along the expected lines.
All credible European media outlets are now reporting now that Kylian Mbappe is going to join Real Madrid for sure.
With no other club in the race apparently, is that really the case? Or are Arsenal, Liverpool also in talks?
One should not discount the other big players in the fray too, and should not be surprised if the Frenchman decides to join another club, such as Arsenal or Liverpool, however unbelievable that may seem right now.
Real Madrid are the most successful team in the history of La Liga, having won 35 titles.
Even in Europe’s top-tier club competition, they have won a record 14 titles.
Real Madrid are favourites to add another La Liga feather to their cap, as they are leading the points table with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid having fallen behind significantly in the race.
A player of Kylian Mbappe’s skill set will naturally want to be part of the Real Madrid story and craft his own legacy, along with modern greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo.
Another great Frenchman Zinedine Zidane with an Algerian connection, much like Kylian Mbappe, whose mother has Algerian roots, is a Real Madrid legend and former coach.
When the French FA president ridiculed Zidane by saying that he wouldn’t pick up the phone if Zidane called him to discuss coaching Les Bleus, the French national team, Mbappe was one of the prominent names who vehemently criticized the president.
If Mbappe wants to represent Real Madrid, Zidane could be a major factor.
‘I wanted to do everything like him, and as I didn’t know what baldness was, I asked the hairdresser to cut a round bit out of my hair. He thought I was mad,’ Mbappe once famously revealed how he tried to wear a similar hairstyle as Zidane.
While emotions are important, business aspects will also weigh on Kylian Mbappe.
Manchester City’s pockets are deep and they are not going to be just an onlooker in the whole development. The prospect of pairing Mbappe with Erling Haaland should drive them into some action.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has brought new energy to the club since joining them in 2019, too has shown interest.
Liverpool have been interested in Kylian Mbappe for a long time.
Reportedly, Mbappe once even met the owner of the club on a private jet. The Reds have all the more reason to go for Mbappe.
Liverpool’s talismanic manager Jurgen Klopp has decided to leave Anfield at the end of the season and Mbappe can fill the void that would certainly be felt by fans after the Klopp’s exit.
And then there are the really deep pockets, with the prospect of a Saudi club running away with Mbappe.
Last year, then 25-year-old Mbappe had turned down an astronomical offer from Al-Hilal and made it clear he wasn’t going to be influenced by the Saudi money.
The Saudi league has a long, long way to go compared to Europe, before a player at the height of his power like Kylian Mbappe decides to go there.
But then, anything can happen! Spanish media giant MARCA has reported Real Madrid have already signed Mbappe on a five-year deal. We will have to wait and watch to see if that’s true.
Football fans, excluding those of Real Madrid, will love a little tug-o-war over Kylian Mbappe over the next few weeks or even months.
It’s as good as watching one of the Worlds’ best barrelling down the pitch in a World Cup final.
One can only hope Kylian Mbappe goes to Real Madrid or anywhere else in the same exciting manner.
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