In a sensational turn of events, Kylian Mbappe, the wantaway Paris Saint-Germain superstar, has emerged as a potential target for Chelsea in a blockbuster transfer.
However, reports indicate that the move comes with a massive catch that could impact the deal significantly.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions are eager to offload Mbappe after he declined to sign a new contract and rejected a world-record transfer to Saudi Arabia.
PSG is said to be seeking a staggering £215 million for the talented forward, a sum that only a few clubs in the world can afford.
Recent reports claim that Chelsea owner, Todd Boehly, has initiated talks with PSG’s Nasser Al Khelaifi to discuss the possibility of bringing Mbappe to Stamford Bridge and reuniting him with Mauricio Pochettino.
Fans have been buzzing with excitement at the prospect of this high-profile signing. However, Sport in Spain has put a damper on the enthusiasm, suggesting that the deal might fall through because Mbappe will only agree to a one-year stint at Chelsea.
Kylian Mbappe, who recently won the World Cup with France, is currently in the last year of his PSG contract. This puts him in a favorable position, as he can leave the club for free and fulfill his dream of joining Real Madrid next summer.
Understandably, Mbappe is reluctant to jeopardize this opportunity by committing to a long-term contract with Chelsea.
Despite this catch, there remains a glimmer of hope for Chelsea to secure Mbappe’s services. The Blues could potentially sign him on a rare one-year contract or, more likely, arrange a loan deal with the understanding that he will move to the Bernabeu in 2024.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, is unwilling to meet PSG’s exorbitant transfer fee demands for Mbappe, knowing that they can sign him for free in the following year.
This situation puts pressure on PSG to find a resolution quickly, as Mbappe faces the risk of being sidelined for the entire season alongside other “undesirable” players if no agreement is reached within the next month.
However, PSG is also well aware of the financial strain of keeping Mbappe on their payroll without fielding him in matches. As a result, the French club might eventually relent and either allow him to leave on loan or reintegrate him into the squad.
Apart from Chelsea, other European giants have also shown interest in Kylian Mbappe. Barcelona and Liverpool have been linked to the new French national team captain.
Barcelona reportedly offered a three-for-one swap, including Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, and Gavi, to secure Mbappe’s signature, while Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp has downplayed rumors of an Anfield switch.