Barcelona Enter The Race To Sign Real Madrid Target Kylian Mbappe From PSG
Mbappe is out of contract this summer and could leave PSG on a free transfer.
Barcelona have made a stunning approach for Kylian Mbappe and are hopeful of beating Real Madrid to the Frenchman's signature, according to reports in France.
Mbappe, 23, is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and could leave the Parc des Princes on a free transfer this summer.
Mbappe has been able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs as of January and Real Madrid are strong favourites to sign the France international, after having a series of huge bids for the striker turned down by PSG last summer.
PSG are desperate to keep hold of Mbappe and have reportedly offered to make him the highest-paid player in the history of football to convince him to extend his stay at the club.
According to French publication L'Equipe, Barcelona have now entered the fray.
The Catalan club believe that a bid for Mbappe could turn out to be cheaper than signing Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who has also been linked with a move to the Nou Camp.
Haaland has a £68m release clause in his Dortmund contract but a potential deal to sign the 21-year-old could cost as much as £100m once agents' fees and a signing-on bonus are taken into account.
Mbappe, on the other hand, is available without a transfer fee but is set to demand a huge wage package wherever his future lies.
Thanks to their recent €595m (£439m) loan from Goldman Sachs and the announcement of a new €70m (£59m) yearly sponsorship deal with Spotify, Barcelona believe they can offer Mbappe an attractive financial package to move to the Nou Camp.
The report claims Mbappe has not yet decided his future and is willing to listen to Barcelona's offer.
Mbappe speaks Spanish and shares a dressing room with former Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Neymar at PSG.
He is currently away on international duty with France, as they prepare to face the Ivory Coast and South Africa in friendlies as preparation for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Topics: Paris Saint-German, Football, Barcelona, Transfers, Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid
Rory O'Callaghan