Real Madrid hand Mbappe deadline but face wage issue in landing PSG star

29 December 2023 , 20:00

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Real Madrid are ready to make a January move for Kylian Mbappe (Image: Aurelien Meunier/PSG via Getty Images)

Real Madrid have told Kylian Mbappe he will have to make that decision over his future by mid-January.

The Spanish side have chased the Frenchman for several years and made their latest play back in the summer. They are ready to return come the New Year but have issued the PSG star with a ultimatum regarding his future.

Mbappe and his employers were involved in a summer rift when it looked as if he could leave for free, something they refused to entertain. On January 1, the forward will be in the final six months of his deal, which means he will be able to negotiate with other clubs ahead of a potential free transfer.

The Athletic reports that some at the Bernabeu felt betrayed when Mbappe opted to renew his deal at PSG back in May 2022. Nevertheless contact between the two parties has never gone away and Real are preparing their latest signing attempt.

Real's spending power is not what is was however, partly down to the renovation work undertaken at the Bernabeu, meaning the deal tabled to Mbappe 18 month ago is likely to have changed.

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Jude Bellingham, who joined in the summer, maintained that he snubbed better offers elsewhere to move to Los Blancos. Mbappe may not get the wages he once would have therefore with Madrid determined to keep a hold on their financial situation.

Those at PSG are growing confident that Mbappe could yet extend at the Parc des Princes again. They don't feel he will get the financial package he is seeking - and it is understood the Frenchman would expect to earn more than double the salary of the current stars. That could play a factor in his next move, despite pundits calling for him to ply his trade outside of France.

Kylian Mbappe must soon make a decision on his future (Getty Images)

Mbappe has been in Paris since 2017, when he moved from Monaco, and will soon complete his seventh season in the capital. He's PSG's record goalscorer but has continued to fall short in the Champions League, which is the prize he is most seeking at club level.

Carlo Ancelotti has just extended his deal in Madrid, keeping him put until 2026, and has impressively regenerated his team with young stars. Karim Benzema left last summer and Los Blancos opted against bringing in a marquee name, but could do so with Mbappe.

Samuel Meade