More facts have emerged why Paris Saint-Germain rejected Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe’s transfer bid.
PSG’s decision to turn down Real Madrid’s advances for Mbappe looked almost careless amid the striker’s reluctance to sign a new contract.
With less than 12 months remaining on his current deal, the Frenchman has still made no indication – at least publicly – that he is ready to extend his stay in Paris beyond next summer.
That convinced Real Madrid they could muscle in and test PSG’s resolve before the transfer window closed, as the Spanish club lodged two bids for the forward who can leave on a free transfer in June.
However, PSG rejected offers of €160m and €180m for Mbappe, despite the fact he is able to enter negotiations with other clubs from January.
Given PSG’s state-funded wealth, it was hardly surprising they knocked back Madrid’s advances, as the club’s hierarchy remain intent on fielding Mbappe, Neymar, and new signing Lionel Messi throughout the season as they bid to win their first-ever Champions League title.
That said, it is still remarkable to think they have effectively passed up the chance to cash in a nine-figure sum for a player who looks set to depart for nothing.
Yet a report from The Athletic has shed further light on the situation, which goes at least a little way to explaining why PSG weren’t as keen to sell the World Cup winner before the deadline.
According to the report, PSG still owe Monaco €36m (£30m) as an installment of the original deal between the clubs for his permanent transfer in 2018.
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Therefore, PSG viewed the true value of Madrid’s opening offer to them as being more like €124m (£106m) by the time their fee to Monaco had been taken into account, which they felt was not enough to replace a player of Mbappe’s calibre so close to the window shutting.
Even signing a player such as Everton’s Richarlison – a reported target – would have cost a considerably large chunk of that amount.
Madrid’s improved offer did little to persuade PSG otherwise, and the French club were only reportedly ready to do business if they received a bid in the region of €200-220m.
It appears such a bid never arrived, though Madrid are still expected to sign Mbappe anyway.
For PSG, they believe the cost of losing him on a free could be outweighed if they manage to end the season as European champions – a feat the club’s owners have been desperate to achieve since taking charge.
Keeping hold of him has hardly been to PSG’s detriment thus far, as Mbappe’s two goals against Reims proved when an immediate switch to Madrid already looked dead and buried.
But it’s Madrid who look like they will eventually have the last laugh.