Real Madrid News
PSG believe they can convince Mbappe to stay with record salary despite Real Madrid interest
Kylian Mbappe’s desire to join Real Madrid has been football’s worst kept secret by far. The French International has dreamed of a move to Santiago Bernabeu for several years now, and the coming summer could make it a reality.
The 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is free to negotiate with any foreign clubs. However, Paris Saint-Germain have not given up hopes of renewing his contract.
According to reports from RMC Sport, the French club believes that they have the means required to convince Mbappe to extend for a short time. The proposed method to ensure his continuity is said to consist of two parts.
First, PSG are willing to make the youngster the highest-paid player in the world. Mbappe currently earns €25 million per season at Paris and is the third-highest earner in the club after Lionel Messi (€41 million) and Neymar Jr. (€36.8 million).
In addition, the Parisians will ensure him of an ambitious and solid sports project to motivate him to stay. Mbappe has been the poster boy for the French side in recent years, and will undoubtedly be the leading figure in the team if he decides to stay.
Real Madrid are said to be offering him a five-year contract worth €200 million if he joins on a free transfer in June. Los Blancos are reportedly in pole position to win his signature, but Mbappe still refuses to comment on his future.
PSG take on Real Madrid in the Champions League later this month with the first leg scheduled at Parc des Princes. It remains to be seen if the prodigal striker comments about his dream move when pitted directly against them.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
