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Kylian Mbappe’s potential Saudi transfer could set a dangerous precedent
Kylian Mbappe is very much for sale and that won’t change unless he signs a new PSG deal, which is obviously not looking likely.
Al-Hilal have placed a world-record €300m offer. PSG haven’t legally accepted it just yet but are willing to if Mbappe indicates he is prepared to join the Saudi club. For now they have given him permission to speak. And at the time of writing, Mbappe hasn’t yet started any official talks. He is set to be offered a €700m salary.
It’s a one-year proposal, as exclusively revealed, allowing Mbappe to still join Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024. That said, Al-Hilal will offer Mbappe the option to extend just in case he changes his mind.
This is what PSG are playing on. They feel that trust is at an all-time low between Mbappe and Florentino Perez following the French striker’s last PSG extension when he failed to join Real.
Real could just wait a year, but PSG hope they feel compelled to move now. Should they do so the fee wouldn’t be anywhere near €300m.
PSG are willing to listen to any offers, including player-swap deals. They have had enquiries from several clubs including Manchester United, Spurs, Inter Milan and even Barcelona. This shouldn’t be confused with active negotiations or bids, though. Chelsea have also been linked, but any Mbappe pursuit has been downplayed by sources.
PODCAST: Inside the Kylian Mbappe Saga
Everyone knows Mbappe wants Real, even PSG, who fear an agreement for 2024 is already in place. But perhaps the Saudi bid is a compromise to get PSG a fee now, provide exposure to the Saudi Pro League and still allow Real to get their top target on a free next summer. It’s a lot of money to spend, though, knowing Mbappe would only go for a season, and perhaps sets a dangerous precedent if other top stars know they can go to Saudi for short and lucrative stays.
Ultimately everything comes down to Mbappe now. Saudi dealmakers have offered something truly astronomical but they need Mbappe’s buy-in to move forward.
Bayern Munich preparing third Harry Kane bid and PSG are also interested
Tottenham still remain relatively calm about the Harry Kane situation, but that will change if the player directly tells them he wants to leave.
Daniel Levy is still hoping Kane extends. Ange Postecoglou has accepted it’s not an ideal situation but he is still planning for the forthcoming season with Kane. There’s not much else he can do amidst the uncertainty.
Bayern are pushing. They haven’t been given a specific price yet by Levy. However, they are preparing a third bid worth close to €100m. Once this lands, Kane is expected to be more clear with all parties in communicating his wishes and from there clarity should come quite fast.
Spurs have always indicated they will reject any offers for Kane, but Bayern are prepared to test that resolve.
PSG are also interested in Kane, and would gladly send Mbappe the other way if he doesn’t extend. However, it is not though Kane is particularly sold on PSG despite the links. Levy and Nasser Al-Khelaifi do have an excellent relationship, though.
Manchester United are not actively pursuing Kane any more. They explored the move earlier in the window and had low confidence Levy would sell to a Premier League rival. Their focus for now is on Rasmus Hojlund, who they are expected to formally bid for this week. Manchester United are hoping a deal is possible for €60-65m. Atlanta’s €100m asking price is not realistic. Any deal is expected to be done for much less.
Manchester United would obviously love Kane (he was their top target heading into this window), but they simply aren’t back in the race right now and that won’t change unless given clear and direct encouragement from Spurs they aren’t wasting their time.
Chelsea lead Arsenal in Mohammed Kudus race
Chelsea have registered their interest in Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus and are even close to agreeing personal terms. But no offer has been placed yet.
Kudus is one of a number of attacking midfield options, including Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga. He is appreciated because he can play centrally or out wide and scored 18 goals and got seven assists in all competitions last season.
Kudus is under contract at Ajax until 2025 and is keen to leave. He has already rejected a one-year extension back in April.
The Arsenal interest is genuine as well, although they won’t move prior to outgoings. They made contact a couple of weeks ago. Brighton are also in the race. Kudus is going to cost about £40m.
I think if Chelsea sell Conor Gallagher they will move quickly for an attack-minded midfielder. West Ham have seen a bid rejected for Gallagher for around £40m. He has got plenty of minutes in pre-season under Mauricio Pochettino, but Chelsea will sell if the price is right.
More Saudi deals to watch…
Al-Nassr continue talks with Sadio Mane and are prepared to pay Bayern €40m. Bayern want to sell, and now it will all come down to the player. Talks are progressing.
Mane had indicated at the beginning of the summer he wanted to stay at Bayern, but his perspective has changed now that Thomas Tuchel has made it clear he is not in his plans. Al-Nassr want a final answer by the end of the month with the hope of getting a Mane deal finalised ahead of the new Saudi Pro League season.
Keep an eye on Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, too. His Al-Nassr move collapsed following concerns during his Madrid medical over his knee and hip. Al-Nassr still offered Ziyech a €15m annual salary, but they restructured the package so that the base wage was 40% less. This meant Ziyech would have to make his full salary in appearances and bonuses, something he was not prepared to do.
The Ziyech camp argue the medical issues were red herrings and that actually Al-Nassr pulled out because they landed Marcelo Brozovic from Inter. Al-Ahli may yet revive the deal.
And Al-Hilal continue to really push for Aleksandar Mitrovic. It may even be verbally agreed by the time you read this. Mitrovic really wants the move and has made that crystal clear to Fulham, who have been irritated by the approaches to date. Mitrovic is desperate to play with fellow Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. It’s a deal that is eventually expected to get done and not one that will be influenced by the world-record bid for Mbappe.