Kylian Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this season; the 25-year-old cost the French club £166m in 2018 but has left on a free transfer; Real Madrid, who secured a 15th Champions League title on Saturday, have been long-term admirers of Mbappe
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Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter explains how Kylian Mbappe could fit into the Real Madrid line-up
Kylian Mbappe may have revealed that his impending transfer will be announced on Monday evening in a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Mbappe is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after running down his contract with the French champions and is expected to move to the LaLiga and Champions League winners.
The France captain is currently at a training camp with the national team ahead of Euro 2024, where he met Macron on Monday.
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PSG forward Kylian Mbappe has released an announcement video where the Frenchman revealed he’ll be leaving the club in the summer
While shaking hands, Macron can be heard asking Mbappe: “When’s the announcement?”
Mbappe replies: “Tonight, tonight.”
The 25-year-old will receive a signing bonus of just over £85m from Real, who will pay the fee in instalments over the duration of his five-year contract at the Bernabeu.
Real have been long-term admirers of Mbappe, having tried to sign him in 2022, but the French forward committed to a new two-year deal at the Parc des Princes.
However, Mbappe refused to activate a one-year extension in his PSG contract, which has allowed him to move for nothing just six years after costing the French club £166m.
Mbappe’s departure has freed up at least €220m (£187.5m) of gross cost to PSG.
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PSG forward Kylian Mbappe has released an announcement video where the Frenchman revealed he’ll be leaving the club in the summer
The view from Spain: Mbappe to Real was inevitable
Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter to Sky Sports News:
“There’s a bit of a collective sigh of relief that finally it’s over. They are finally coming together and hopefully it will be a harmonious union between Mbappe and Real Madrid.
“This saga has rumbled on for so long now that every single summer it was all about: ‘Here we go again, is this finally the summer he is going to come?’
“Everybody knew it was inevitable that Mbappe was coming to Real Madrid. It was just a matter of when.
“Real Madrid have been trying for so many years, it even began when he was 11 years old when he went to the club for a trial with the Under-12s side. He decided not to stay because his parents felt he was better off staying in France to grow and develop.
“In 2017, that was the real first time they came in for him when he was at Monaco. It didn’t work out as PSG came in and hijacked the deal. It’s been on and off again for the last seven years. It really is happening this time.
“But there is also a little bit of apprehension about this deal because it was such a big blow in 2022 when Real really thought he was coming but he decided to snub them and stay in Paris. It left a lot of Madridistas very broken-hearted disappointed and angry – even people at the club as well.”
Where will Mbappe fit in the Real Madrid team?
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Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter explains how Kylian Mbappe could fit into the Real Madrid line-up
Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter to Sky Sports News:
“Ultimately it will depend on what Carlo Ancelotti wants to do from a tactical point of view.
“Yes, there is a pecking order of sorts but of course you are going to go with the best players that you have available too.
“Let’s work under the premise that Ancelotti is going to stick with a 4-4-2 next season, with Jude Bellingham at the top of the midfield diamond, though really Bellingham can do whatever he wants on the pitch.
“That means Vinicius and Mbappe can start in a two-pronged attack, like what Vinicius and Rodrygo have been doing this season. Vinicius has really made the left hand side his. That is his best position. Rodrygo is more tactically flexible – he can play on the right, left or as a No 10.
“So there are lots of options. He could play 4-3-3 with Mbappe in the middle with Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings. But that means he would have to sacrifice a midfielder and they are so stacked in that area, I don’t see that happening too often.”
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League officially opens on Friday June 14 – the same day that Euro 2024 starts.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time.
The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Sourse: skysports.com
