Kylian Mbappe signed a new three-year contract with PSG just a year ago. The two sides have an agreement on a one-year extension, but that depends on the player. Mbappe is likely to leave the French capital on a free transfer next summer, with Real Madrid said to be his preferred destination.
That could force PSG to negotiate another deal with the player or sell him this summer, although both of those options pose difficulties for the Ligue 1 champions.
Summer 2024 is the right time for Real to sign Mbappe.
Most of Europe’s top clubs find it difficult to earn enough money to sign Mbappe this summer, including Real. It is also questioned whether Carlo Ancelotti’s army really needs to recruit Mbappe immediately when Karim Benzema is still showing stable form.
Benzem is 35 years old, has scored 30 goals for Real this season and is expected to sign a new one-year contract to keep him at the Bernabeu until June 2024, when Mbappe can put on a white shirt. Mbappe therefore looks set to be Benzema’s long-term successor, but he must temporarily stay at PSG for another season.
If Real waits for the summer of 2024 to recruit Mbappe, their budget will be abundant for the plan to sign Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortund. The 19-year-old England international is considered one of the best young midfielders in the world after impressing in the Bundesliga.
Bellingham lost the opportunity to win the silver plate this season because of Dortmund’s incompetence in the decisive match. That may prompt the star born in 2003 to move to Real, thereby helping him quench his thirst for titles.
Bellingham’s arrival will mark the plan to reform the midfield at the Bernabeu as Luka Modric nears the end of his illustrious career. Real’s aging midfield was evident in the recent 0-4 loss to Manchester City, with 37-year-old Modric and 33-year-old Toni Kroos both having difficulty keeping up with the intensity of the game.
Real is said to own the best young midfield in Europe if they welcome Bellingham. Los Blancos currently owns 23-year-old French couple Aurelien Tchouameni and 20-year-old Eduardo Camavinga.
Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are still playing explosively and can pair Mbappe up front. Meanwhile, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger will continue to work together at the heart of Real’s defence.
Courtois will be Real’s number one goalkeeper for the next few years.
The left wing should belong to David Alaba, although from the day he arrived at Real, he mostly played at centre-back. At just 31 years old, Dani Carvajal will be the club’s top choice, while the same goes for Thibaut Courtois.
Real squad after summer 2024:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Bellingham, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
Lu Feng | 17:07 May 28, 2023
