05 November 2023 , 21:04
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Real Madrid will not make any signings in the January transfer window as they keep a space in their squad for their planned signing of Kylian Mbappe next summer.
The Spanish giants have been courting a move for the Frenchman over several summers and he came close to joining the club in 2022 before a late change of heart saw him stay in the French capital. That came a year after the Spanish giants had a world record transfer bid turned down by PSG.
This Saturday saw Los Blancos release a statement to reject reports from local media that they were in discussions to sign the French superstar. After the turn of the year, Mbappe will be free to speak to clubs over the potential of a pre-contractual arrangement ahead of his contract expiring on June 30 next year.
Madrid have been firm favourites to sign the striker for several years but have been unsuccessful with their pursuit of the Frenchman to date. Mbappe was excluded from PSG’s pre-season tour due to the delicate situation over his future, but he ultimately remained in Paris and was swiftly reintegrated into the first-team squad ahead of this campaign.
The Spanish giants had intended to sign Mbappe last summer after Karim Benzema confirmed his exit to Saudi Arabia while Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz – the latter of whom was the only remaining recognised central striker in Madrid’s senior squad – all departed as free agents. Spain international Joselu was subsequently signed, but he is the only senior central striker.
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Mbappe has developed into a superstar at PSG, bagging 224 goals across over six seasons at the Parc des Princes – but has over the past several seasons appeared to be agitating for a move. That speculation peaked in 2022, when his contract at the club came to within six weeks of expiring before he put pen to paper on an extension.
A recent report in Diario AS outlined that Mbappe’s future remains up in the air, but a move remains a big possibility. If Mbappe does leave as a free agent, PSG would be saved from paying €100million (£87m) in loyalty bonuses which he would have been owed at the end of his stay. The saving in that fee would significantly soften the blow of the French club not attaining a transfer fee.
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Mbappe is out of contract at PSG in the summer (Getty Images)Meanwhile, Marca now report that Madrid will not make any signings in the January transfer window. That is despite their lack of depth in attack and is another massive hint that they are leaving their squad light to help accommodate any move to sign Mbappe in the summer window.
The striker penned a new deal at the Parc des Princes through to the summer of 2025 – although the final year of that deal is an optional renewal on the player's behalf. In January, the striker will be allowed to discuss a pre-contract agreement with another club.
Earlier this year, Mbappe clarified his future in the French capital after refusing to outline his happiness at the club. "For now, a second World Cup," the France international had said ahead of the competition a year ago, when quizzed over an alleged transfer request. "After that, I don't know."