Transfer Centre

Real Madrid 'set deadline for Kylian Mbappe decision'

By Ben Sully | 29 December 2023

Real Madrid reportedly give Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe a deadline to decide whether he wants to join the Spanish club next summer.

Real Madrid have reportedly given Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe a deadline to make a final decision over his future.

Mbappe, who joined PSG from Monaco in 2018, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for a number of years.

The latest instalment of the transfer saga took place back in the summer when PSG put Mbappe up for sale, believing that he had already agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024.

Mbappe, who was left out of the pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea, was the subject of a world-record bid from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

However, Mbappe showed little interest in joining the Saudi Arabian side, and he was eventually reintegrated back into Luis Enrique's PSG squad.

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe on November 7, 2023 © Reuters

While he intends to remain with the club for the duration of the 2023-24 campaign, his long-term future at Parc des Princes is shrouded in uncertainty.

With Mbappe set to enter the final six months of his contract, he will be free to negotiate with other clubs over a pre-contract agreement from January 1.

According to The Athletic, Real Madrid are set to revive their interest in the 25-year-old, but they have given him a deadline to decide his future.

The report claims that Los Blancos want to know by the middle of January whether Mbappe intends to join them on a free transfer next summer.

Real Madrid are determined to learn from the mistakes of the summer of 2022 when they thought they would sign the forward, only for him to agree a new contract with PSG.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on November 26, 2023 © Reuters

While Carlo Ancelotti's side are still looking to sign the Frenchman, the deal is likely to be different to the one that they offered in 2022 due to the cost of the renovation work at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid are also mindful of controlling their wage bill, which could force Mbappe to compromise on his salary expectations if he wants to complete a move to the Spanish capital.

Ancelotti, who has agreed to extend his deal until 2026, is keen to bring the 2018 World Cup winner to the club, but there is a feeling at PSG that their star player could decide to extend his contract with the club.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions do not feel that Real Madrid will be able to offer the financial package that Mbappe is looking for.

Although a question mark hangs over his PSG future, Mbappe has continued to play a leading role on the pitch, scoring 21 goals in 22 competitive appearances this season.