In a recent interview with El Debate, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez revealed the club’s stance on Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe was heavily linked with a move to the Spanish giants this summer, but a deal failed to materialise before the transfer window closed on August 31.
The Frenchman recently disclosed that he wanted to leave Les Parisiens by July, but the Ligue 1 outfit had no plans of sanctioning his sale during the transfer window.
He further added that Real Madrid were the only club under consideration by him.
In reference to this, Perez was recently asked about Mbappe and said that the club wants to solve everything with the player on the first day of the New Year.
He told El Debate: “In January, we will have news from Mbappe. We hope that on January 1 everything can be solved.”
However, he backtracked on the statement soon after saying that he was misinterpreted.
In a separate interview with RMC Sport, Perez clarified that the club have respect for PSG and can only open talks with the player at the turn of the year.
He said: “My words were misinterpreted. What I said is that we have to wait until next year to hear from you, always with respect for PSG with which we have good relations.”
Our view:
It is widely known that Mbappe wants to join Madrid. Les Parisiens are no longer in control of his destiny as he will soon enter the final six months of his contract.
He can sign a pre-contract with an overseas club in January, and Los Blancos appear in the driving seat to land his signature barring a major breakdown in talks.
It is only a matter of when that the forward will secure a move to the Spanish heavyweights. A mid-season deal appears unlikely, judging by the summer events.
Les Parisiens were reportedly offered €220 million by Los Blancos for his services, but they were undeterred in their stance to keep Mbappe beyond the summer.
With ambitious plans to win the Champions League with the exciting trio of Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar, they may resort to keeping the former for the season.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
Read: Kylian Mbappe reveals he told Paris Saint-Germain about his exit plans in July.
