Real Madrid News
Real Madrid prefer to sign Kylian Mbappe for free in 2024 – report
According to journalist Ben Jacobs (via Caught Offside), Real Madrid would prefer to sign Kylian Mbappe for free in the summer of 2024. But they would not rule out a move this year only if the price is right.
The 24-year-old superstar has made it abundantly clear that he does not intend to renew his contract at PSG, with the current one expiring in 2024. At the same time, he does not want to leave this summer either and wants to depart as a free agent twelve months later.
But, Les Parisiens have no desire to entertain that and wish to either sell him right away or see him extend his contract. By no means the Ligue 1 champions are willing to accept Mbappe leaving as a free agent.
With the two parties in a standoff, Real Madrid have been quietly following the situation. It is well-established that Florentino Perez sees the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner as a top target and wants him at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, the Merengues would still prefer to sign the 24-year-old for free next year rather than paying around €200 million in transfer fees for acquiring his services.
“PSG are adamant Mbappe won’t leave on a free next summer, but the player himself continues to indicate he wants to stay at PSG this season. It’s a bit of a power struggle, with a lot of games, and it’s all playing out in public,” Ben Jacobs writes.
“Right now PSG are just waiting on Mbappe. But if there is no breakthrough they will actively put him on the market. Real Madrid would still prefer to wait until next summer and sign Mbappe on a free, but would consider moving now if the price is right.”
For Real Madrid to make a move, PSG and Mbappe must reach common ground. If there is no green light from them, Los Blancos would be happy to wait until next year and sign him up for free.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
