Real Madrid president Perez gives update on Mbappe pursuit

Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, has given an update about the club’s pursuit of French forward Kylian Mbappe amidst rumours that the striker could be set to depart current side Paris Saint-Germain. 

Mbappe was close to joining Real Madrid last summer, but a deal ultimately collapsed after the French youngster was persuaded to remain at PSG as the face of the club and its new outlook on French talent. 

The 24-year-old signed a two-year deal with Les Parisiens, with an option for a further year to be triggered on the player’s end if he so desired. 

However, it is being reported that Mbappe has informed PSG that he has no intention of extending his contract beyond the mandatory two years and will be looking to leave the club once his deal expires. 

Mbappe’s reluctance to sign a new deal means that PSG could lose him on a free transfer at the end of the 2023/24 season, and the French club would have to sell him this season to make any money from his sale. 

This has opened the door to Real Madrid who have just lost enigmatic forward Karim Benzema and would see Mbappe as the ideal replacement. 

However, when Real Madrid president Perez was asked about the possibility of signing Mbappe, he replied simply, “Yes, but not this year,” pointing to the fact that Real Madrid could be set to sign the coveted Frenchman on a free transfer next season rather than pay a hefty fee this summer.