Real Madrid pursuit of next galactico signing takes twist after Barcelona reference

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the PSG lineup

Barcelona have reportedly entered the race to sign Kylian Mbappe – but sources elsewhere claim leading suitors Real Madrid believe there is a hidden motive.

Mbappe will become a free agent in the summer unless Paris Saint-Germain can renew his contract. At present, it looks unlikely they will be able to convince him to stay, despite their best efforts. As such, someone will get themselves a bargain by signing him.

Already one of the most fearsome forwards on the planet, Mbappe is still only 23 years old. With a World Cup medal and four Ligue 1 titles in his cabinet, many feel he is a potential future winner of the Ballon d’Or.

Consequently, he can aim high when picking his next club. Although there have been tentative links with Liverpool, the most realistic destination has seemed for a long time to be Real Madrid.

Mbappe would be a ‘galactico’ signing for the Spanish giants, who look on course to win La Liga this season. He would add further qualities to their starting lineup for their ambitions domestically and in Europe.

But they could be rivalled by Barcelona in their pursuit of the former Monaco man, according to L’Equipe.

The French source claims PSG are aware that Barcelona would like to take Mbappe in the summer.

They are starting from a farther-back position than Madrid in the hunt. However, the door is not completely closed.

That said, Mundo Deportivo have since denied that Barcelona have made contact with Mbappe. For the time being, they are focusing on Erling Haaland – another Real target – or Mohamed Salah.

Suspicions about Mbappe links to Barcelona

Kylian Mbappe playing for Paris Saint-Germain

Marca concurrently claim that Mbappe’s name has been dragged into the Barcelona conversation as a tactic in the negotiations. They propose that it was a possible leak by PSG themselves.

The Spanish source also reminds that accommodating Mbappe’s salary would not fit within Barcelona’s plans, especially while they try to renew the contracts of some of their own players, like Ronald Araujo and Gavi.

Therefore, Mbappe’s future remains all to play for, but the Madrid track still seems the most likely for him to tread.

It would represent his first time playing in La Liga after previously spending all his club career in France. A recent goal against Real in the Champions League caught the imagination again, while the Spaniard’s subsequent elimination of PSG may have reminded him they would be a better option if he is striving to the top.

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