Real Madrid News
PSG president issues update on Mbappe situation: “Very good and positive relationship”
After everything that unfolded over the past couple of months with regard to the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga, it appears that all is well between the Real Madrid target and his current club, PSG.
Mbappe announced in July that he did not wish to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain beyond 2024, prompting the club to put him on the transfer market and freeze him out of the first team.
At this point, it appeared that a move to Real Madrid was set to take place – even Los Blancos mainstay Dani Carvajal believed so.
But, eventually, there was a rapprochement between Mbappe and PSG, with the forward returning to the squad and talks of a summer exit dying away.
PSG president smoothing things over with Mbappe
Reports during the final days of the summer window suggested that the relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Mbappe had broken down, with the pair even understood to have been involved in a major altercation.
However, it appears that the club supremo is making efforts to smooth things over with the 24-year-old as the Ligue 1 champions attempt to convince Mbappe to sign a new contract and not leave for Real Madrid for free next year.
In a recent press interaction with Portuguese publication Record, Al-Khelaifi provided an update on Mbappe, saying (h/t Fabrizio Romano):
“Mbappe is an incredible player and a fantastic person, I can confirm that. We have very good and positive relationship.”
Further reiterating the same, Al-Khelaifi added: “Trust me — PSG team, on and off the pitch, has never been so united.”
PSG attempting to renew Mbappe’s contract
Following the drama of the summer, PSG are again attempting contract talks with Mbappe, with the hope that they can convince him to sign a new deal, like they did back in 2022.
But recent reports suggest that the 24-year-old does not plan on such a move and is instead preparing to give up his bonuses ahead of a potential free transfer exit in 2024.
Real Madrid remain in the picture to sign Mbappe for free next year, but clubs like Liverpool cannot be ruled out at this point.
Following Barcelona’s awe-inspiring comeback win against Celta Vigo yesterday, the pressure is on Real Madrid to regain top spot in La Liga as they travel to Civitas Metropolitano to lock horns against Atletico Madrid.
The first Madrid derby of the season will not feature Vinicius Jr, who had to pull out of the travelling squad today due to a stomach bug.
Jude Bellingham has been given the green light, though, and is likely starting as the out and out striker for this game, with Joselu benched. The Englishman is joined by Rodrygo by his side, while Luka Modric plays behind them as the attacking midfielder.
Behind this trio, Toni Kroos has been handed the keys as the pivot, with Aurelien Tchouameni benched. Eduardo Camavinga starts alongside Federico Valverde as the central midfielders.
Lucas Vazquez fills in for the injured Daniel Carvajal at right-back, while Fran Garcia comes back to take over his left-back spot from Nacho. David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger round off the quadrant in central defence, screening Kepa in goal.
Confirmed Madrid XI: Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham
