Kylian Mbappe would almost certainly choose Real Madrid next but PSG’s insistence on selling now offers the Saudis and Premier League sides an opportunity.
Here are the ten most likely destinations for Mbappe according to the best odds available right now…
1) Real Madrid
It has always seemed inevitable that Mbappe would end up at Real Madrid. He really should have gone there last summer rather than renew his PSG contract. PSG are convinced there is an agreement between Mbappe and Real to tie up next year when his current deal ends, and they are almost certainly right.
But PSG won’t sit back and watch their biggest asset go through the motions for a season before leaving for nothing. They want Mbappe gone and some cash in now. Which could be a problem for Real. They’ve already blown their budget for this summer with everything geared towards getting the France star later as a freebie. Real have a habit of finding a way, and maybe they will again to get Mbappe sooner than planned. But PSG’s insistence on selling now opens up the possibility of Real and Mbappe missing each other once again…
2) Any Saudi club
If it came to a bidding war then, of course, the Saudi big four have far more resources and fewer restrictions than anyone else among Mbappe’s suitors. And if they are offering Jordan Henderson £700,000 a week, then Mbappe might reasonably expect half a gazillion a week to move to the Pro League.
Likewise, if Henderson is seen as a statement of intent from the Saudis, then landing Mbappe would be a massive f*** you to the rest of the world. But Mbappe won’t go for it. Will he? Maybe just for a year if it means getting to Real Madrid.
3) Manchester United
United are the best-placed Premier League club to move for Mbappe, according to the bookies. We know they need a striker. We also know they are juggling their finances. So unless the Glazers suddenly and swiftly cash out – not f***ing likely – and a new owner wants a marquee signing, then the chances of Mbappe moving to Old Trafford appear bleak.
4) Manchester City
The bookies rate City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Barca’s chances similarly. If Mbappe goes to the Treble winners to team up with Haaland, the rest of the Premier League might as well pack up and try a different sport.
But Pep Guardiola was clear last month: “We will not sign Kylian Mbappe, he’s not joining Man City – all of you know where he wants to go.”
5) Liverpool
There have always been whispers of Liverpool’s desire to sign Mbappe ever since he was at Monaco. There was even talk earlier this month that the Reds had submitted a massive £173million bid for the France star. That was, we reckon, horse sh*t. But you can bet Liverpool are at least looking at the numbers if there is an opportunity this summer. What they’ll find, though, is that Mbappe’s current salary is double that of Mo Salah’s, which is a much bigger issue than whatever fee PSG might command.
6) Arsenal
Arsenal have shown they aren’t afraid to splash their cash, even if it is unlikely there’s much left in the kitty having already out-spent the rest of Europe. But they might be motivated to copper up since, according to The Independent, Mbappe’s preference in the Premier League would be Arsenal because ‘he likes the evolution of Mikel Arteta’s team and would also enjoy the challenge of delivering the title to the club again’.
Arteta was asked about Mbappe this weekend: “You know I don’t talk about players who don’t play for our club.” Which obviously means it’s definitely happening.
7) Barcelona
Barca have already been in touch with Mbappe’s camp to gauge the prospects of snatching him away from Real’s clutches. Unless he’s prepared to be paid in IOUs then we assume the Catalans concluded they were wasting their time.
8) Juventus
Juventus need a striker if they are to sell Dusan Vlahovic, who is fancied by PSG. Swapsies?
Not likely. If Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t put the Old Lady off signing mega-stars, then Paul Pogba probably has.
9) Chelsea
Chelsea have been linked with Mbappe’s team-mate Neymar, who was told in no uncertain terms by the club’s supporters to sling his hook. Still, you can bet your bollocks that Todd Boehly has thought about Mbappe, even if he might need a centre-back and Mauricio Pochettino barely has a midfield to speak of.
The Blues might be keen to offer the illusion of competency this summer but don’t rule out the possibility of them doing something ludicrous around Mbappe or Neymar.
10) Newcastle
If the Saudis are to get into bed with Mbappe, you can bet it will be closer to home than Newcastle. The Magpies want you to believe that they currently have to sell to buy and it’s not likely that selling Ryan Fraser, Jeff Hendrick or Isaac Hayden will raise Mbappe money. Unless they sell to themselves again.
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