Kylian Mbappé has turned down a significant offer from Al Hilal, a club in Saudi Arabia. The French soccer superstar would have broken all kinds of records as the highest-paid athlete on the planet.
Saudi Arabia is investing huge sums of money to build a soccer league that can rival Europe. The country is not holding back when it comes to expenses in order to accomplish this lofty goal.
Kylian Mbappé turns down $776 million from Al Hilal
After welcoming Portuguese soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year, the Saudi Pro League wants to take things to a higher level with some massive transfers this summer.
Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema and World Cup winner N’Golo Kante left Europe in the past few months. Many other big names have followed suit.
Moreover, before the transfer window closes, a few familiar faces like Italian midfielder Marco Verratti are expected to join the SPL.
With Paris Saint-Germain trying to sell Mbappé before his contract ends in 2024, Al Hilal saw a great opportunity and tried hard to slide in.
The offer was what dreams are made of — $221 million salary for one year. This amount could have gone up to $776 million thanks to some additional commercial deals.
The proposal was also great for PSG, with close to $300 million to invest in new players after Mbappé’s departure. Unfortunately for the French soccer club, Mbappé has other plans.
Mbappé wants to play for Real Madrid
The 24-year-old soccer sensation is not thinking about money at the moment. He wants to make his childhood dream a reality. The forward has been dreaming about the Spanish club since he started playing the game very early on.
Moreover, after winning a World Cup at 20, Mbappé still has a few things to accomplish to be in the same conversation as people like Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.
The two legends won many Ballon d’Ors and UEFA Champions League trophies. Mbappé has not yet done this, despite being considered the best player on the planet at the moment.
The Frenchman feels like he has to play for a top club like Real Madrid in order to succeed at that level. PSG are behind in terms of European success.
Observers say that the Kabuki dance between PSG, Real Madrid, and Mbappé could last until the end of August. The likeliest outcome is that Mbappé will get his wish in the end.
Real Madrid will pay north of $100 million for a world-class striker, and PSG get to save face by not allowing the player to leave for free in 2024.
Real Madrid want to lower the price tag
The Spanish giants are not ready to pay $250 million for a player who will be out of a contract in twelve months. Moreover, the board at Real Madrid knows that time is on their side.
PSG will be forced to lower their demands in order not to lose everything. According to reports, associates of the French soccer sensation are working hard for the number to go down significantly.
While clubs like Liverpool are thinking about making an offer, it is believed that Real Madrid are unstoppable in this race. However, Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti is not losing sleep over the Kylian Mbappé saga.
Ancelotti says: “It doesn’t bother me that you ask me about Mbappé… I just won’t answer. We have to have continuity during the season, now it’s too early to judge what we’re going to do. We still don’t know 100% what we’re going to do. There is a season ahead where we need to have the right attitude, commitment…”
The Frenchman can take his career to new heights with this transfer.
