Real Madrid News
Real Madrid growing optimistic about signing Kylian Mbappe – report
Real Madrid continues to dream of dressing Kylian Mbappe in the Royal Whites’ jersey, as the Frenchman remains one of their top targets.
Having completely alienated the World Cup winner from their squad due to the player’s unwillingness to negotiate a deal beyond 2024, PSG are hellbent on fetching a fee for their star man before he inevitably leaves on a free transfer next year.
Optimism growing in the Spanish capital
Now, according to journalist Rodra at Real Madrid, there is optimism that they will finally land Mbappe this summer.
In light of recent news affirming the possibility of an agreement between PSG and Los Blancos, the likelihood that the two sides will find common ground before the transfer window closes is increasing.
Considering Mbappe has already refused offers from Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid are currently best placed to sign the 24-year-old.
While PSG set an immensely high price for Mbappe, with €300 million as the reported figure, it is expected that as the conclusion of the transfer window draws closer, PSG will eventually soften their stance.
From Real Madrid’s perspective, a €180 million bid is more than sufficient for a player who will be a free agent after this season.
Carlo Ancelotti is ‘crazy’ about the signing
As per the report, manager Carlo Ancelotti is one of the many figureheads in the Real Madrid hierarchy that is pushing for Mbappe’s arrival.
While Ancelotti tested out a two-man frontline with various permutations and combinations involving Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, and Joselu, plenty of chances went down the drain in the pre-season.
Mbappe’s predatory instincts in the final third are thus sought-after, as he will elevate Ancelotti’s dynamics in attack, especially with Karim Benzema no longer an option.
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.
Craig
August 7, 2023 at 9:09 pm
If Real Madrid actually made a 180mil offer to PSG then delt with the excessive demands of Mbappe separately then he’d be on a private jet this minute.
Pat Grey
August 8, 2023 at 8:42 pm
Yes, there is ABSOLUTELY no alternative to bringing in MBAPPE if RM is going to be competitive in the new season–with other European soccer giants gearing up for a serious showdown with RM. Indeed, Mbappe could have capitalized on the many chances Vinicius, Joselu and Rodrygo missed in the pre-season games to score goals, including those imvolving Barca and Juventus. Mpabee must be brought in this season, no matter how much it will cost to bring him.