PSG 'prepared to sell' Kylian Mbappe to Man Utd as Qatar takeover edges closer
Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to sell Kylian Mbappe to Manchester United this summer should the Qatari-backed Sheikh Jassim takeover bid at Old Trafford prove successful.
Mbappe will not sign the one-year contract extension in his PSG contract meaning that his deal will expire in 12 months. Mirror Football understands that the French club’s priority is to ensure he does not leave without a transfer fee, meaning they are prepared to cash in on the superstar this summer.
The French superstar has confirmed that he intends to remain at the Ligue 1 champions beyond this summer but it is understood that PSG will push for his exit as they are aware that the alternative is missing out on a landmark transfer fee entirely.
However, relations between the club and Real Madrid remain strained. That relationship deteriorated during the previous saga over Mbappe’s future, when several – notably public – Madrid record transfer bids were rejected by the French club. Los Blancos were certain they would see Mbappe join as a free agent in 2022, but he renewed his contract in Paris.
Last weekend, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez responded to a question on a future move for Mbappe: “Yes. But not this year.” That proclamation came just days ahead of Mbappe detailing his future plans and could hasten a potential transfer to this summer, due to Madrid’s needs and the intention of PSG to cash in.
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Madrid’s focus is now focused on signing strikers after Karim Benzema confirmed his exit from the Spanish giants last week while Eden Hazard, Asensio and Mariano Diaz – the latter of whom was the only recognised central striker in Madrid’s senior squad – are all departing as free agents this summer.
Mbappe has an option to renew his contract at PSG until 2025 - but as things stand is out of contract next year (Getty Images)Have Your Say! Which club will Mbappe be playing for next season? Tell us what you think here.
However, it is Mbappe who holds the balance of power. All the signs are that he will leave the Parc des Princes this summer and the French club’s QSI ownership are, according to El Pais, preparing to sell the striker to United – as they would rather deal with Sheikh Jassim, should his takeover bid prove successful, than Madrid.
United are desperate to sign an elite striker this summer but have pulled out of a move for their first choice target Harry Kane, while a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is prohibitive due to the price. While Mbappe would demand an English record fee, relations between the two clubs could facilitate a sensational deal.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is reported to have played a significant role in Sheikh Jassim’s bid to buy United. While the PSG supremo insists that his role would not go beyond offering advice, the shared Qatari background and the exact source of funding behind United’s bid will attract scrutiny.
Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim is bidding for the club alongside Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had been tipped as favourite with his strategy of buying United. The INEOS chief’s offer would see him take a controlling interest in the club and allow current owners Joel and Avram Glazer to temporarily retain a 20% stake in United.
Both the frontrunners recently submitted more bids, with Sheikh Jassim proposing a complete buyout of United. Last week, he tabled an improved fifth bid for United. Should the Qatari businessman be successful, the Glazers would exit Old Trafford immediately.
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