According to the vast majority of Spanish sports media outlets, it was pretty much a given that Kylian Mbappe would be joining Real Madrid this summer, finally putting an end to the transfer saga that has dragged on over the last couple of years. But following an about-turn by the French striker, the recently crowned Spanish champions have been left empty-handed.
Real could have been forgiven for thinking they had this deal in the bag, considering that in recent months, various headlines pointed at some kind of pre-contract pact being agreed with the player. Yet in spite of the self-assured confidence from club supremo Florentino Perez, one of the most eagerly anticipated transfer deals in recent history has failed to materialise.
Mbappe will be signing a new three-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, lavished with riches and conditions that are truly mind-boggling. Indeed, some reports are already suggesting this new deal will earn the 23-year-old around €5 million per month in wages, making him the highest earning footballer on the planet.
In addition to the massive salary boost, Mbappe’s €150 million signing-on fee is almost akin to PSG buying the player twice, having originally paid Monaco a transfer fee of €145 million in June 2018. As part of the package, the French international will reportedly receive complete control of his image rights, plus highly lucrative bonuses based on competitive performances and achievements, during the timespan of this new contract.
Interestingly, the astonishing deal agreed with PSG is actually very similar to the proposals made by Real, who were prepared to splash the cash in a deal they had been working tirelessly to secure for some considerable time. Indeed, the Spanish giants had spared no expense or time in their attempts to cajole Mbappe, promising him a starring role at the newly refurbished Bernabeu.
But in the end, Real’s effort to sign the world’s best young player has come a cropper. Despite all the indications and hints that Mbappe gave, even admitting he had long admired and supported Real Madrid throughout his youth, he has chosen to stay put in the city of his birth. He will remain at PSG until 2025 at the very least, unlikely to ever be offered a second chance to join Real Madrid, who will undoubtedly consider his decision to be a huge slap in the face.
After the sense of indignation subsides and as the dust settles, Real must now turn their attention elsewhere. The key issue now is that after having dedicated so much focus on signing Mbappe, who do they go for now? Well, until he recently agreed to join Manchester City, one target in mind was also believed to be Norwegian forward Erling Haaland, which means that Real Madrid has missed out on two generational talents in one summer transfer window.
This will certainly send shockwaves in the transfer market, given that Real Madrid has a sizeable war chest of cash available, which is the fruit of some considerable austerity by their usually lavish standards over the last two or three seasons. It also means that the summer window will be all the more interesting, as oddsmakers begin to evaluate the most likely options the Spanish club might consider. Will they potentially look to usurp a proposed bid from Barcelona for iconic Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski? Might they be tempted to enter the bidding for rising Benfica star Darwin Nunez? Or will be it one of Liverpool’s two marquee forwards in Mo Salah and Sadio Mane?
Any of the above options could be worth a bet- the current odds on them are certainly attractive enough, If you intend to have a punt, be sure to use a site like Asiabet for research- they focus on all the key markets available at the most trusted betting sites, reviewing and rating each in great detail. Amongst the markets highlighted are those focusing on potential transfers, and having missed out on Mbappe, we can expect Real Madrid to be front and centre in the coming weeks. Right now, they have a thorn in their side and the need to make a big move.
Truth be told, having comfortably won the league this season and reached the Champions League final, some will question whether Real Madrid actually need to sign any attacking players. Instead, they could turn attention towards bolstering an ageing midfield unit, which currently includes 36-year-old Luca Modric and 32-year-old Toni Kroos. Both are still outstanding players, albeit now arguably well beyond their prime.
However, given that Eden Hazard has never quite established himself in the Spanish capital and that Gareth Bale is out of contract and will be leaving, the club looks almost certain to make signing an attacking player or two the main priority.
If nothing else, Real failing to land Mbappe could make for a much more interesting summer transfer window, as the club seeks to prove it remains one of the most appealing destinations in the global game. If history is any indication, club president Perez will be determined to make a blockbuster signing, which means that absolutely nothing can be ruled out at this stage.