Kylian Mbappe, the French football superstar, is set to be announced as a Real Madrid player this week, with a signing bonus of just over £85 million (€100 million). After leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, the 25-year-old forward is poised to join the Spanish giants on a free transfer.
Mbappe, who scored 256 goals in 308 appearances for PSG, will sign a five-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, earning £12.8 million (€15 million) per year after tax. Real Madrid will pay the signing bonus in installments over the course of his contract. The club has been long-time admirers of Mbappe and previously attempted to sign him in 2022, but he chose to extend his stay at PSG for an additional two years, which has now expired.
By not activating a one-year extension in his PSG contract, Mbappe was able to move for free, six years after costing PSG £166 million.
Mbappe’s Move and Financial Impact
The move sees Mbappe taking a pay cut from his previous €75 million (£63.9 million) gross annual salary at PSG, where he also received a €30 million-a-year (£25.6 million) signing-on bonus. His departure has freed up at least €220 million (£187.5 million) of gross costs for PSG.
Reaction from Spain
Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter expressed a collective sigh of relief among Real Madrid supporters, who have anticipated this move for several years. The transfer saga, which began when Mbappe was 11 and visited Real Madrid for a trial, has finally concluded. There is a sense of both excitement and apprehension among fans, given Mbappe’s previous decision to stay in Paris in 2022, which left many disappointed.
Tactical Fit at Real Madrid
Hunter also discussed how Mbappe might fit into Real Madrid’s tactical setup. Under the assumption that manager Carlo Ancelotti sticks with a 4-4-2 formation, Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. could form a formidable two-pronged attack, supported by Jude Bellingham at the top of the midfield diamond. Alternatively, in a 4-3-3 setup, Mbappe could play centrally with Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings, though this might require sacrificing a midfielder from Real Madrid’s stacked roster.
Transfer Window Details
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League opens on June 14, coinciding with the start of Euro 2024, and closes on August 30 at 11 PM UK time. The dates align with other major European leagues following discussions with football associations across England, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France.
Credit: Sky Sports
