Man Utd’s transfer plans hit by Mbappe’s Real Madrid rejection
Robin Bairner
- 21 May 2022 17:34 BST
- 3 min read
Kylian Mbappe’s decision to reject a transfer to Real Madrid and instead sign a new contract with PSG is set to have profound repercussions throughout the footballing world, with Arsenal and Manchester United among those clubs to feel the aftershock.
While Mbappe’s decision to remain with the Parc des Princes side is set to be of benefit to Liverpool, it is set to hamper Manchester United and Arsenal in the short term.
Indeed, it is the Red Devils who could most keenly feel the backlash from Real Madrid in the coming weeks.
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This is because these clubs are likely to operate in competing markets for several players, but most notably Monaco and France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who has also been linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal too.
Madrid will now be big favourites to sign the rising star. Indeed, Marca reports that they are ready to go all out for him. Given the frustration their support will feel after missing out on Mbappe, plus the added carrot of having Champions League football, it is probable that they will succeed in this mission.
That cuts out one viable alternative in the midfield for Man Utd, who are set to be priced out of the market for West Ham’s Declan Rice.
To make matters worse, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong wants to play Champions League football next season, according to Fabrizio Romano, which necessarily rules the Old Trafford club out of this race.
Perhaps the only crumb of comfort that they can take from this saga is that it strengthens their position to sign Mbappe if and when he does leave PSG. Real Madrid are unlikely to be as keen to move for him when he next becomes available, while it gives the Red Devils a couple of years to straighten out their own house and make themselves attractive once more for world-class talent.
