Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe wants to leave PSG and join Real Madrid in January – report
Real Madrid were dealt with a massive blow in the summer when Kylian Mbappe rejected a move to Santiago Bernabeu in favour of a prolonged stay at Paris Saint-Germain. The forward even ended up signing a bumper contract extension at PSG that granted him additional powers at the club.
However, a few months into the new season, it appears the relationship between PSG and Mbappe has completely fallen apart. This has been reported by Mario Cortegana of MARCA, who suggests the Frenchman now wants to depart Parc des Princes in the upcoming January transfer window.
The Spanish journalist goes on to claim that the former AS Monaco starlet favours a move to Real Madrid, just months after he refused to move to Santiago Bernabeu.
PSG, though, have other ideas and only want to sell him to Liverpool, who are one of the clubs in contention to sign the Frenchman. However, with Mbappe keen on joining Real Madrid, we could potentially witness yet another elongated transfer saga.
Mbappe’s new season at PSG has seen him score 11 goals in 12 competitive matches so far. The forward has indeed managed to enhance his attacking partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar, with the three attacking playing a key role in PSG’s success so far this season.
Mbappe’s potential exit could serve as a major blow for Les Parisiens, who are also facing the risk of losing Messi in 2023. The Argentine has indeed been linked with a potential return to Camp Nou next year.
As for Real Madrid, they could be in for an interesting transfer window in January. Even though the club may have the option to go after Mbappe once again, it is worth noting that the relationship between the two parties had taken a hit during the summer when the player rejected the opportunity to move to the Bernabeu.
But most importantly, Real Madrid are one of few clubs who have the luxury to go after Erling Haaland in 2024. The Norwegian international has proven to be an instant hit in the Premier League and is arguably a more tactically sound replacement for Karim Benzema.
Hence, Los Blancos may have a decision to make as they look to choose between two of the rising stars of world football, neither of who can co-exist with the other.
It is astounding that despite being the biggest club in Spain, Real Madrid do not have many Spanish players to show for it.
Los Blancos do indeed boast of a special diversity in the dressing room, but their lack of locally trained players could pose problems according to MARCA.
The Spanish outlet confirms that UEFA does not mandate the inclusion of any minimum number of locally grown players for a club. However, the Spanish federation stipulates that a club in Spain must boast of at least eight players who meet a specific set of conditions.
Of the aforementioned eight candidates, there must be at least four players who have spent three seasons or 36 months at the club between the ages of 15 and 21.
Currently, only Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Mariano make up the required number on that front.
The problem, however, arises with the condition for the other four players in the list of eight. RFEF stipulates that the second set of four players must have completed at least 36 months in teams attached to the federation of Spain between the ages of 15 and 21.
Only Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos tick the aforementioned box. However, all four players have uncertain futures at the club and are well-placed to depart in the summer.
There are thus big decisions to be taken over the transfer strategy for June. Real Madrid can work ways to ship all four players out, it would require the re-integration of players like Sergio Arribas, Miguel Gutierrez or Fran Garcia to ensure the fulfilment of the criteria.
With both Vallejo and Odriozola seemingly frozen out of Ancelotti’s plans, their departures from Santiago Bernabeu appear inevitable. Thus, the management could be forced to renew one of Asensio or Ceballos come June.
