The German football scene is increasingly looking at FC Bayern these days, while the international one is looking more towards Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. There could soon be a deal of historic proportions between the two European heavyweights if superstar Kylian Mbappé actually switches sides. More and more evidence points to this.
In transfer poker about Harry Kane, there are new water level reports every day, in poker about Kylian Mbappé almost every hour. The transfer of the superstar from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid is hotly debated in Spain, France and the rest of the world. This discussion did not go past the real stars either. They all know that their club could soon buy what is currently perhaps the best footballer in the world.
Toni Kroos fueled the hopes of Real fans last week with a photo he posted on his Instagram profile. The picture shows the international in conversation with a little boy wearing an Mbappé shirt. Kroos’ public “flirt” was not an isolated case. Real keeper Thibaut Courtois followed suit and heated up the atmosphere.
The Belgian posted a video of a turtle on his Instagram story, to which he wrote: “A little friend is visiting us.” A clear nod to Mbappé, nicknamed “Donatello” – a turtle from the ’90s popular comic series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
And Real Madrid themselves have also been working hard this week to keep the rumor mill churning. The club released a photo of Carlo Ancelotti and Jude Bellingham in the royal cabin. Both positioned themselves in such a way that exactly one shirt number was covered by them: the number 9, which the club’s new striker is to wear. That striker will be Kylian Mbappé is becoming more and more likely.
Mbappé-Poker: Will 80 million euros decide in the end?
According to recent reports, the loyalty bonus agreed between PSG and Mbappé is the biggest hurdle in poker. If the striker leaves the Parisians this summer, he will miss out on this bonus. If he stays another year, he pocketed the additional 80 million. PSG only wants to allow that if the 24-year-old extends his contract (duration until 2024). However, Mbappé does not want that. The fronts are considered hardened. To put it mildly.
Los Blancos are still in the most comfortable position in the theater. Although the team needs a new centre-forward, the club could also get through a season without the really big name.
Ideally, Real will even get help from Qatar in the transfer poker. According to the French media, the PSG club bosses are considering buying Mbappé’s loyalty bonus for a slightly smaller sum and thus paving the way for his departure. It would be a fitting ending to a never-ending poker game featuring one, if not the best, player in the world.