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Despite recent reports about Kylian Mbappe’s future, it seems that we are still far from reaching a final decision on whether he will move to Real Madrid or stay at PSG. There has been a lot of excitement surrounding this story, but it wouldn’t make much sense for Mbappe to make any announcements now when there is still a significant portion of the season left. Whether he stays at PSG or goes to Real Madrid or elsewhere, it will be challenging to keep it under wraps.
During the UEFA Summit, Nasser Al-Khelaifi had an eventful day and was asked about Mbappe’s future. He mentioned that there would be communication when both he and Mbappe made a decision. Currently, it seems that Mbappe is waiting to see how the second half of the season unfolds at PSG and how Real Madrid is performing.
Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, made some interesting comments suggesting that he doesn’t necessarily need Mbappe. While it would be controversial if he named Mbappe as one of the top players in the world, his comments indicate that Real Madrid is not openly pursuing Mbappe, which suggests that there is still a lot happening behind the scenes. Mbappe also had an injury scare and rested for a game against Lille, adding to the belief that we won’t hear any announcements until at least March, when PSG knows the outcome of their two-legged tie with Real Sociedad and their position in Ligue 1. It’s possible that we may have to wait even longer.
As I’ve mentioned before, there is also the possibility that Mbappe will let his contract expire and reach an agreement with Real Madrid without the pressure of being a PSG player. He could then join the Madrid squad after the Olympics, as he has expressed his desire to participate in the event. However, this would mean that Real Madrid would have to pay a significant amount for a player who wouldn’t be available for several months.
A formal announcement is still likely far off, especially considering PSG’s promising season. We will learn more in the coming weeks about their performance in the Champions League and the Coupe De France. The tie against Real Sociedad in the Champions League is particularly important and winnable for PSG, as Real Sociedad’s form has declined recently.
Real Madrid’s attack is already strong this season, so it raises the question of where Mbappe would fit in. Ancelotti’s team has been playing without a central focal point, and it seems to work well with Vinicius on the left, Rodrygo on the right, and Bellingham in the middle. If Mbappe is added to the mix, someone will inevitably lose out. Mbappe’s position is somewhat ambiguous, as he can play on the left or centrally. Vinicius is unlikely to lose his place on the left, with Ancelotti even considering him the best player in the world. If Mbappe takes up a central role, it could diminish Bellingham’s influence. There are many factors to consider.
Real Madrid’s attack is undoubtedly one of the best in the world right now, so there is a potential for Mbappe to upset the balance or for someone else to lose out. Looking at reputation and names alone, players like Rodrygo might have a reduced role, but the most significant conflict in terms of position on the pitch is with Vinicius on the left, which is where Mbappe prefers to play.
If Mbappe does join Real Madrid, he should be aware that they won’t treat him the same way they did a few years ago when he decided to stay at PSG. He would have to accept a lower offer and fit into Ancelotti’s plans.
Nevertheless, if Mbappe is added to the trio of Vinicius, Bellingham, and Rodrygo, it would arguably create the best attacking quartet in world football.
PSG is interested in Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and he is one of their priority targets for the summer. There was also interest in Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad before January, and they will have a close look at him when they meet in the Champions League.
Guimaraes seems like the perfect fit for PSG’s style of play under Luis Enrique. He is what they need to complete their team. Players like Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele are starting to perform as expected, so there will be more scrutiny on the midfield and how it functions alongside the fantastic attacking lineup PSG has assembled.
Guimaraes is currently at the top of PSG’s list, but that could change before the end of the season and the opening of the summer transfer window. Considering Newcastle’s financial situation, they will likely have to sell due to Financial Fair Play regulations. PSG is very interested in Guimaraes and the possibility of pairing him with Warren Zaire-Emery in midfield.
Liverpool and Barcelona will be looking for new managers at the end of the season. While there are no current managers in Ligue 1 who could step into those roles, Xabi Alonso seems like an obvious fit for Liverpool. The work he is doing with Bayer Leverkusen is exceptional, and the links to Liverpool are apparent, especially with Ancelotti extending his contract at Real Madrid. However, succeeding a successful manager like Jurgen Klopp is a challenging task, as we have seen with previous examples at Arsenal and Manchester United. Even for the best managers, it’s difficult to meet such high expectations.
If I had to pick an outsider from Ligue 1 who might be worth considering, I would suggest Lille’s Paulo Fonseca. He has experience at big clubs, but it would still be a significant leap for him to go to Liverpool or Barcelona.
On the topic of Klopp, I would love to see him coach Marseille at some point, especially if a takeover happens. Marseille matches the kind of clubs that appeal to Klopp, with an emotional connection to the fans and a hunger for success. However, a takeover would be necessary for Klopp to find it appealing. It remains to be seen if Marseille would approach him or if there are any links with Zinedine Zidane.
Arsenal is the latest club to be linked with Khephren Thuram, who is performing well at Nice. He has attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Liverpool. However, the link between Nice’s ownership and Manchester United complicates a potential move to the Premier League. Manchester United, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership stake, is in a stronger position to sign players from Nice. Arsenal’s interest in Thuram is understandable, but Nice’s performances this season and their potential qualification for the Champions League make the situation more complex. PSG has also shown interest in Thuram in the past, so he is a player to keep an eye on.
According to the Source caughtoffside.com