Mbappe to Real Madrid aided by latest Man City transfer decision

6 Oct 2023 11:16 BST
4 min read

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring against Dortmund in the Champions League — © ProShots

Manchester City are preparing to enter contract negotiation talks with Erling Haaland in a bid to ward off interest from Real Madrid, according to The Telegraph.

The Norwegian forward’s current deal does not expire until 2027, but Man City are aware of Real Madrid’s transfer interest as Los Blancos continue to search for their Karim Benzema replacement.

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Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost Benzema to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad on a free transfer this summer and are yet to properly replace him.

Joselu was signed on loan from Espanyol, while Jude Bellingham has begun life in Spain as a number 10 behind Brazilian duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo. The England international has scored eight goals in just Real Madrid games so far.

Despite the arrival of Endrick in 2024, Real Madrid have still been linked with signing a superstar attack to replace the output of Benzema.

Haaland has been heavily reported as a target, while Kylian Mbappe is the other star continuously linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to The Telegraph, “Real have a long-term aim to bring Haaland to the Spanish capital” after he chose to join City in 2022 despite interest from Los Blancos.

However, Man City are hoping to combat Real Madrid’s desire to sign the Norwegian by tying him down to a new long-term contract.

Why Man City’s Haaland decision pushes Mbappe closer to Madrid

With Haaland edging closer to an extended Man City contract, his chances of joining Real Madrid have certainly taken a hit - something that Pep Guardiola will be delighted about.

However, if the Norway international does end up signing a new deal in Manchester then Real Madrid’s transfer options will have diminished significantly.

As a result, it will mean that Kylian Mbappe is even more likely to join the club. The Frenchman rejected a free transfer move to Real Madrid last summer, but has told Paris Saint-Germain that he won’t sign an extension at the Parc des Princes.

Therefore, he will be available on a free transfer next summer if he sticks to his word and doesn’t put pen to paper on a new deal in Paris.

Mbappe was heavily linked with an exit during the most recent transfer window and was even removed from first-team training after revealing that he wouldn’t sign a new contract.

However, he has now been reintegrated into the first-team set-up and was involved in their shock 4-1 defeat against Newcastle on Wednesday. Mbappe was criticised for his performance at St James’ Park by the French media, which has only added fuel to rumours that he will leave PSG in 2024.

With Haaland potentially off the market due to a new City contract, then Real Madrid may be left with Mbappe as their only real option to finally replace Benzema’s output.

As a result, PSG may lose Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi within the space of just 12 months.