Real Madrid News
Liverpool not in the race with Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe – report
Kylian Mbappe’s future continues to be a never-ending subject of discussion and debate in the media as contrasting reports keep popping up about his next move.
Today is the deadline for the 24-year-old to decide on extending his contract until 2025, which he has announced that he does not wish to do. As such, PSG remain intent on offloading him this summer instead of losing him for free next summer.
Real Madrid remain the favourites to sign Mbappe even though clubs like Al Hilal are putting up world-record sums in terms of both transfer fees and salary to convince him.
Liverpool not in the Kylian Mbappe race
Amidst this, there had been talk of Liverpool entering the race for Mbappe as well, but Rodrigo Faez of ESPN (h/t Madrid Xtra) is now reporting that the Premier League giants are not among the contenders to sign the Frenchman.
It had been suggested in some media outlets that Mbappe could join Liverpool on a season-long loan deal, with the player and his mother both open to the move.
However, such a scenario does not appear to exist, with Rodrigo Faez reporting that the only club in contention to sign the 24-year-old attacking superstar are Real Madrid.
Real Madrid want the signing wrapped up soon
Even though there have been no concrete movements made by the club, Real Madrid wish to complete Mbappe’s signing by the second week of August.
The Merengues intend to have him at the club ideally before the start of the La Liga campaign, while PSG themselves would prefer to take care of the situation prior to the Ligue 1 season kicking off.
With Les Parisiens getting closer to the capture of Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona, it could lead to the process of Mbappe’s departure speeding up in the coming days.
The next week is expected to be key for the deal and with no other rival in picture, Real Madrid will hope to complete Mbappe’s capture soon.
Real Madrid’s recent win over Villarreal certainly had its tense and controversial moments, most of them involving Vinicius Jr.
But the biggest silver lining for Los Blancos was Yan Diomande scoring his first goal for the club following his €140 million move from RB Leipzig.
Diomande’s slow start had made him a subject of much criticism in the media. In the first game after the international break, however, the forward opened his account, and he used the moment to pay tribute to his sister, who died at the age of 15, reports MARCA.
Diomande’s tribute to his late sister
On the hour mark, Federico Valverde slipped him through and the Ivorian finished low across goal for the game’s only strike.
Once VAR confirmed it, he walked away from his celebrating teammates, closed his eyes and broke down in tears, his gaze fixed on the sky.
He later explained the emotion in his post-match interview. “This means more than words can say. My first goal is for you, sister. Forever in my heart.”
Roxane died in 2025 at just 15, having believed in her brother long before anyone else did. From the age of ten she had acted as his biggest champion, and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Diomande shared their story in a letter published in The Players’ Tribune.
“Everything I do on the field is for you,” he wrote.
Staking a claim for more minutes
Diomande’s goal against Villarreal also carried a lot of weight, in terms of his standing in the team.
“I’d been waiting for that first goal for a long time,” Diomande admitted on Real Madrid TV. His display offered a glimpse of his value, with four successful dribbles, the pace to stretch Villarreal and the movement to create space for Kylian Mbappe.
With Vinicius facing a possible and lengthened domestic suspension, the 19-year-old has a timely chance to claim a more prominent role.
He is also relishing a first taste of the Champions League. “It’s every child’s dream, and I’m very grateful to be doing it with Real Madrid.”
So it will be interesting to see whether or not Diomande gets more chances to perform in the coming matches, before Real Madrid prepare for the big fight against Barcelona.
