AS Monaco is having their spectacular young team torn apart this summer. They’ll be able to hold onto some of their top players, but one they seem almost certain to lose is Kylian Mbappe. On Tuesday, Marca reported that Real Madrid had reached an agreement in principle for the 18-year-old, and that it’ll cost a world-record €180 million.
Monaco denies report that Real Madrid has €180 million deal for Kylian Mbappe
But it seems like it’s only a matter of time before a deal is reached.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
That doesn’t mean Mbappe will be holding up a white shirt next week. Monaco has already denied the report. But bids are certain to come in from Madrid and other teams, and at a price like €180 million, Monaco will likely be willing to negotiate.
Making Mbappe their top target this summer is a continuation of Madrid’s strategy to make sure they don’t experience a big drop-off in quality in their lineup when Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer world-class. He was still one of the top players in the world last season, but he’s declined slightly in each of the last two seasons, and now has over 850 pro games under his belt. While Madrid expects him to be a huge contributor again this season, Ronaldo could stop being effective at the top level at any point, without warning.
Florentino Perez started his post-Ronaldo planning with Gareth Bale, and has to be thrilled with the development of 21-year-old Marco Asensio. Real has also secured the future transfer of the top under-17 talent in Brazil, Vinicius Junior. Mbappe is the world’s top talent in the age group between Asensio and Vinicius Junior, an age where Madrid currently has a slight gap in their pipeline. For that reason, he’s especially valuable to them.
It’s also worth noting that Madrid has made nearly €100 million off the sales of Alvaro Morata and Danilo this summer, and might be willing to part with Karim Benzema or Mateo Kovacic for the right offer. Money is not an issue for them. If they rate Mbappe as the best teenager in the world, they’ll pay the asking price and get their man.
Goal of the day
In the news
MLS rejected a $4 billion media rights proposal that included adopting promotion and relegation as a component. (ESPN)
Chicharito’s move to West Ham is now official. (Brace The Hammer)
Chelsea sent Kenedy home from their Asian tour after he posted disparaging remarks about China on social media. (We Ain’t Got No History)
Bayer’s Juan Bernat is likely out three months after undergoing ankle surgery. (Bavarian Football Works)
Sadio Mane and Danny Ings are back in Liverpool training. (Liverpool Offside)
You should be reading
Eric Devin on how Monaco will cope with losing so many of their stars. (Guardian)
Edgar Faroh on what makes Ousmane Dembele great. (Eat Sleep Drink Football)
Tom Marshall on Juan Carlos Osorio’s job status and Mexico’s issues beyond their head coach. (ESPN FC)
Fun with transfer rumors
Apparently PSG saw Mbappe as a Neymar alternative, so if Mbappe goes to Real Madrid, they’ll go all in for Neymar. (Marca)
Chelsea have £150 million left to spend on Virgil Van Djik, a fullback and an attacker. (Mirror)
Alexis Sanchez will take a pay cut to get a move to Manchester City. (Independent)
Marseille are the favorites to land Moussa Dembele from Celtic. (Express)
Swansea has rejected a £45 million bid from Everton for Gylfi Sigurdsson. (Guardian)
Carlo Ancelotti says he’s keeping Arturo Vidal, but could sell Renato Sanches. (ESPN FC)
Tottenham are being linked to Hoffenheim right back Jeremy Toljan. (Standard)
Juventus are trying to buy Kostas Manolas from Roma. (Football Italia)
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Women’s Euros: two games (2:45 p.m. ET) -- Sweden, Russia, Germany and Italy fight for their places in the knockout rounds.
